New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Japanese PM Yoshihide Suga ahead of the in-person Quad meeting that is to be hosted by US President Joe Biden. The PMs of the two Asian nations had a "fruitful meeting" in Washington DC. They met to discuss and strengthen bilateral ties between India and Japan.
"Furthering friendship with Japan," the Prime Minister's office said in a tweet after the meeting on Thursday.
"Prime Ministers @narendramodi and @sugawitter had a fruitful meeting in Washington DC. Both leaders held discussions on several issues including ways to give further impetus to trade and cultural ties," the tweet added.
Modi and Suga had spoken on call in April. The call was about free and open trade in the Indo-Pacific region. Both the leaders spoke about developing new partnerships in skill development and manufacturing. They also spoke of creating resilient, diversified and trustworthy supply chains, while ensuring a reliable supply of critical materials and technologies. The Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR) was also highlighted during the discussion.
"we confirmed that we will work in close collaboration to contain the COVID-19 pandemic and had fruitful discussions on regional issues and Japan-India cooperation in order to realise a Free and Open Indo-Pacific," tweeted the Japanese leader after the phone call.
The Japanese PM had to cancel his India visit in the wake of the second Covid-19 wave in India.
"Prime Minister Suga and I believe that during the time of this COVID-19 pandemic crisis, the Indo-Japanese friendship and our partnership have become even more relevant for global stability and prosperity. Today, when we are facing several global challenges, it is the need of the hour that our friendship and relationship get stronger day by day," PM Modi had said PTI.
Today PM Modi will attend QUAD Leaders' Summit post which he is scheduled to have a personal meeting with Biden, their first after the president's election.
(With inputs from PTI)