In their first telephonic talk, the two leaders agreed to further strengthen this relationship based upon mutual trust and shared values

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a phone call on Friday with Japan’s new Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide and both leaders agreed that the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership has made great advances over the last few years and expressed their intention to further strengthen this relationship based upon mutual trust and shared values.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the two leaders concurred that the partnership between the two countries is even more relevant in today’s times given the global challenges, including that of the COVID-19 pandemic.

They 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.

The two leaders, as per the PMO, appreciated the progress made in the economic partnership between the two countries, and in this context, welcomed the finalization of the text of the agreement pertaining to specialized skilled workers.

Prime Minister Modi extended an invitation to his Japanese counterpart Suga to visit India for the Annual Bilateral Summit, after improvement of the situation caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic.

Earlier Prime Minister Modi congratulated Prime Minister Suga on his appointment as Prime Minister of Japan and wished him success in achieving his goals.