PM Modi holds talks with Japan's Suga, discusses plans to further strengthen ties

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephonic conversation with his Japanese counterpart Yoshihide Suga on September 25 and shared views on India-Japan Special Strategic & Global Partnership. PM Modi congratulated Suga on his appointment as Japan’s new Prime Minister and wished him success in achieving his goals, said Prime Minister’s Office in a statement.

“ two leaders concurred that partnership between two countries is even more relevant in today’s times given global challenges, including that of COVID-19 pandemic,” statement read.

Prime Minister Modi took to Twitter to inform that he had a "very good" conversation with Suga as y exchanged views on progress made in bilateral relationship over last few years. PM Modi added that he is looking to forward to working with Suga to furr strengn all-round partnership.

PM Modi and Suga reportedly agreed that India-Japan Special Strategic & Global Partnership has made great advances over last few years. duo expressed ir intention to furr strengn this relationship based upon “mutual trust and shared values.” y emphasised that ecomic architecture of a "free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region" must be premised on resilient supply chains.

“ two leaders appreciated progress made in ecomic partnership between two countries, and in this context, welcomed finalization of text of agreement pertaining to specialized skilled workers,” PMO said.

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PM Modi extends invitation

PM Modi has also extended an invitation to Suga to visit India for Annual Bilateral Summit after improvement in COVID-19 pandemic situation. In a separate statement, Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that two leaders ir intention to steadily advance high-speed rail project. y also welcomed that Memorandum of Cooperation on specified skilled workers would be signed in near future. 

Meanwhile, Japan, India, Australia and United States are planning to hold a meeting of ir foreign ministers in Tokyo in early October. It will be first cabinet-level meeting in Japan since March after coronavirus outbreak. Japanese foreign affairs chief Toshimitsu Motegi, US State Secretary Mike Pompeo, Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar, and Australian foreign minister Marise Payne will hold QUAD security dialogue.

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