Over the years, India and Japan have developed multi-faceted cooperation in diverse areas

India-Japan relations have deepened in every sphere, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday as the countries marked 70 years of establishment of diplomatic ties.

He also referred to the March visit to New Delhi by Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio for the 14th India-Japan Annual Summit, saying that this had laid out a roadmap for deepening the Special Strategic and Global Partnership in a post-COVID world.

"As we celebrate 70 years of establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Japan today, I am happy to see that our ties have deepened in every sphere, whether strategic, economic or people-to-people contacts," Prime Minister Modi tweeted.

"The recent visit of my friend PM Kishida @kishida230 to India for the Annual Summit laid out a roadmap for deepening our Special Strategic and Global Partnership in a post-COVID world. I look forward to continue working with PM Kishida to realize that objective. #IndiaJapanat70," added PM Modi.

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida was in New Delhi for the 14th India-Japan Annual Summit with Prime Minister Modi on March 19-20 this year. During the Summit, the two leaders had resolved to further advance the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership.

"The Prime Ministers appreciated the significant progress made in security and defence cooperation and reaffirmed their desire to further deepen it," a Joint Statement issued after the Summit had said.

The previous India-Japan Annual Summit took place in Tokyo in October 2018.

India and Japan have a multi-faceted cooperation within the ambit of their ‘Special Strategic and Global Partnership’. Japan is also a member of the Quad grouping, along with India, the US and Australia.

India and Japan established diplomatic relations on 28 April 1952. Earlier this year, the two countries had unveiled a logo to mark 70 years of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The logo depicts a Peacock and a Green Pheasant, which are the national birds of India and Japan respectively.

A number of events are also being held in India and Japan through the year. These include cultural activities, exhibitions and seminars, covering diverse areas of India-Japan bilateral relations.