Prime Minister Narendra Modi had “a very good conversation’’ with Japan’s new Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide on Friday, the first interaction between the leaders since Suga took over last week.
“We agreed that stronger India-Japan ties would help meet the challenges of the current regional and global situation. I look forward to working with PM Suga to further strengthen our all-round partnership,” tweeted Modi after his phone call.
The conversation lasted for approximately 25 minutes. While both sides seem to be keen to strengthen the relationship, there is also a renewed push for the Quad. China may not have been part of the conversation, but the dragon loomed large in the room.
“Prime Minister Suga expressed his intention to promote bilateral cooperation in the fields of security, economy and economic cooperation, and to work with India towards achieving a 'Free and Open Indo-Pacific,' a press release issued by the Japanese foreign ministry read. “Prime Minister Suga also stated that he would like to promote cooperation in such multilateral mechanism as Japan-Australia-India-US meetings and the United Nations…’’ it stated.
The conversation around the Quad has become much louder in the past few months, especially as China becomes more belligerent. The conversation between Suga and Modi was no different. Both leaders “emphasized that the economic architecture of a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region must be premised on resilient supply chains, and in this context, welcomed cooperation between India, Japan and other like-minded countries,’’ a press release issued by the ministry of external affairs said.
The high speed-railway project also came up for discussion. Both leaders “reaffirmed their intention to steadily advance the high speed rail project,’’ the foreign ministry of Japan press release read.
The phone-call with Prime Minister Suga came on the same day as there was a virtual meeting between the Ministry of External Affairs, Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade of Australia, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and Department of State of the United States of America for “consultations on regional and global issues of common interest.’’
During the meeting, where there was discussion on keeping resilient supply chains going during the pandemic, as well as issues of connectivity, there also a reaffirmation “towards a free, open, prosperous and inclusive Indo-Pacific region based on shared values and principles and respect for international law.’’
