India, Japan to expand cooperation taking Modi-Abe vision forward
New Delhi, June 5 (UNI): India and Japan, which enjoy a special relationship, hope to further expand the scope of bilateral cooperation, taking the Modi-Abe vision forward.
Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had "a good talk" on Tuesday and the two agreed to be in regular touch.
"Had a good talk with Japanese Foreign Minister @konotaromp We agreed to be in regular contact and take the Modi-Abe vision forward," said Jaishankar in a Twitter post.
Had a good talk with Japanese Foreign Minister @konotaromp
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) June 5, 2019
We agreed to be in regular contact and take the Modi-Abe vision forward.
The conversation took place when Kono called up to congratulate Jaishankar on his appointment as External Affairs Minister.
The Japanese foreign minister in course of the telephonic talk expressed the view that India as a global power has an "extremely huge" role and responsibility toward realising a free and open Indo-Pacific.
India and Japan outlined a vision for strengthened bilateral relations at their 13th annual summit last October. A vision statement issued after talks between prime ministers Narendra Modi and Shinzo Abe in Tokyo spoke about enhanced strategic and defence cooperation and a “unwavering commitment" to a free and open Indo-Pacific -- a concept authored by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Kono said that he would like to welcome External Affairs Minister in Japan at an early date to discuss wide-ranging issues, said the Japanese Embassy here.
He said that he would like to coordinate the schedule to hold a “2+2” Ministerial Meeting as soon as possible which Japan and India have agreed to hold.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is scheduled to visit India this year.
Modi and Abe are said to have set in motion the process for the Indian and Japanese militaries to clinch a logistics-sharing agreement, formally known as the Acquisition and Cross Servicing Agreement.
A logistics-sharing accord has become imperative for the two militaries, given the number of joint manoeuvres they hold, including three-way exercises involving the US Navy in the Indian and Pacific oceans.
Abe has said that Japan’s ties with India hold “the greatest potential of any bilateral relationship anywhere in the world.” A deeper India-Japan partnership under Modi and Abe could potentially reshape the Asian strategic landscape, say policy wonks.
Kono invited Jaishankar to the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in November.
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