India and Japan will celebrate the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties this year

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday had a telephonic conversation with his Japanese counterpart Hayashi Yoshimasa and discussed a wide-range of topics including Covid-19 situation, and Quad.

A Twitter post by Jaishankar said he was delighted to have a New Year conversation with Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa and discussed Covid situation, travel facilitation, bilateral projects, Quad, Myanmar and North Korea.

Jaishankar added that he looked forward to celebrating the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations in a befitting manner.

To mark this historic occasion, the two countries have decided to have special logos, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had said earlier this month

To mark the 70th anniversary, a number of events are planned to be held in India and Japan throughout the year, a press release by the MEA had said.

These include cultural activities, exhibitions and seminars, covering diverse areas of India-Japan bilateral relations.

According to the MEA, these events will mark the occasion in a manner that truly reflects its significance and the commitment of all stakeholders to realize the full potential of the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership.

Earlier, on November 22 last year, Yohimasa after taking over as the Japanese Foreign Minister had held a telephonic talk with EAM Jaishankar.

Hayashi had stated that he would like to work with his Indian counterpart to further develop Japan-India Special Strategic and Global Partnership, a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan had then said.

According to the statement, the two ministers exchanged views on bilateral relations and confirmed that resuming both leaders’ annual mutual visits is of particular importance, affirming to work together for the early realization of Prime Minister Kishida’s visit to India at an appropriate timing.

Both ministers also confirmed that the two countries would coordinate to hold the next round of Japan-India 2+2 Foreign and Defense Ministerial Meeting, it noted.

The two ministers affirmed to work closely toward the realization of a shared view of ‘Free and Open Indo-Pacific’ through bilateral cooperation and quadrilateral cooperation involving Australia and the U.S, the statement informed.

The two ministers discussed regional situations and shared their strong opposition to any unilateral attempt to change the status quo by force in the East China Sea and South China Sea and any economic coercion, while confirming that the two countries would deepen cooperation on economic security such as through establishing resilient supply chains, further the statement said.

The two ministers also discussed the situation in North Korea including its nuclear and ballistic missile activities and Minister Hayashi asked for understanding and support on the abduction issue, it added.

Furthermore, the two ministers decided to promote further cooperation in regional situations such as Myanmar and Afghanistan, in tackling global challenges such as measures against COVID-19 and counter terrorism, in the levels of international areas such as disarmament and non-proliferation as well as UN Security Council reform, the statement mentioned.
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