Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he had a fruitful discussion with his Japanese counterpart Suga Yoshihide

India and Japan have agreed to further enhance their cooperation in the Indo-Pacific Region, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said after a phone call with his Japanese counterpart Suga Yoshihide today.

The two Prime Ministers also discussed the progress of the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership.

"Had a fruitful conversation with PM Suga Yoshihide on the progress of India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership. We exchanged views on contemporary global challenges and agreed to further enhance our cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. @sugawitter," Prime Minister Modi said on Twitter.

https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1369297691855978498

The two leaders exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest and concurred that the partnership between the two countries could play a pivotal role in addressing common challenges, an official statement issued after the phone conversation said.

Emphasizing that their engagement with like-minded countries such as Australia and the U.S. in the form of Quad consultations holds value, Prime Minister Modi and Japanese PM Suga agreed that these useful discussions must continue.

The two Prime Ministers expressed satisfaction at the positive momentum in the India-Japan Special Strategic & Global Partnership in the last few years, guided by mutual trust and shared values, the statement said.

They also appreciated that bilateral exchanges were maintained over the last year despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

The recent signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation on Specified Skilled Workers (SSW) was welcomed by the two Prime Ministers who said they looked forward to its early implementation.

Prime Minister Modi referred to the Mumbai Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR) project as a shining example of India-Japan bilateral strategic partnership and expressed his commitment to its successful implementation.

Noting that 2022 would mark the 70th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, the two leaders agreed that this event be celebrated in a "befitting manner".

The Prime Minister invited Prime Minister Suga to visit India at the earliest for the Annual Bilateral Summit.