PM Modi holds talks with new Japan PM to bolster defence & trade ties

NEW DELHI: PM Modi and his newly appointed Japanese counterpart Shigeru Ishiba met on the sidelines of Asean -India Summit in Laos. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening India-Japan special strategic and global partnership through enhanced cooperation in a wide range of areas including trade and investment, infrastructure development, defence and security, semiconductors, skilling, culture and people-to-people exchanges.

"Both leaders emphasised India and Japan are indispensable partners for a peaceful, safe, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region and renewed their commitment to working together to achieve this goal," said the Indian govt.

According to Japan, Ishiba, who recently called for an Asian Nato , stated his intention to enhance cooperation in economic, security, and people-to-people exchanges and expressed readiness to advance specific cooperation initiatives leading up to Modi's visit to Japan. Modi is expected to visit Japan later this year for the annual India-Japan summit.

"PM Modi expressed a desire to advance cooperation in defence, security, and economic sectors while significantly expanding people-to-people exchanges . Both leaders agreed that Japan and India are "natural partners" sharing fundamental values such as democracy and pledged to collaborate towards peace and stability in the international community," said a Japanese readout.