New Delhi: Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Monday invited PM Narendra Modi to G7 Hiroshima Summit, which he said 'was accepted on the spot'.
"I formally invited PM Modi to G7 Hiroshima Summit and on the spot my invitation was immediately accepted: Japanese PM Fumio Kishida said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on the other hand, welcomed his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida who is on a two-day visit to India. PM Modi said that every time he met Fumio Kishida, he felt positivity and commitment to the India-Japan bilateral relationship.
"I welcome Japanese PM Fumio Kishida to India. In the last one year, PM Fumio Kishida and I have met several times and every time I've felt his positivity and commitment to the India-Japan bilateral relationship. His today's visit will be beneficial to maintain this momentum," PM Modi was quoted as saying by ANI.
PM Modi said he discussed about India's G20 Presidency with PM Kishida, adding, "Today, I told PM Kishida in detail about the priorities of our G20 presidency. An important foundation of our G20 presidency is to voice the priorities of the Global South. A culture that believes in Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, believes in going ahead by bringing everyone together."
"That is why we have taken this initiative. India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership is based on our mutual democratic values and respect for rule of law on international platforms," the Prime Minister said, according to ANI.
The PM said, "It is best opportunity to work together on priorities of India's G20 presidency and Japan's G7 presidency."
PM Modi expressed pleasure in being invited by Japanese PM Kishida to the G7 Leaders' Summit which will be held in Hiroshima in May. The Prime Minister said that he will also be getting the opportunity to welcome PM Fumio Kishida to India for the G20 Leaders' Summit in September, this year.
Japanese PM Fumio Kishida arrived in India on Monday for a two-day visit. He is scheduled to hold talks with PM Modi and unveil his plan for a Free and Open Indo-Pacific during his visit to India.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was received by Union Minister Rajeev Chandrashekhar, reported news agency ANI.
Kishida will unveil his plan for a “free and open Indo-Pacific” with a focus on India's increasingly significant role in the region during his visit to the national capital.
Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Fumio Kishida are likely to discuss the evolving situation in the Indo-Pacific in the backdrop of China's rising military assertiveness during their wide-ranging talks.
"I will visit #India and meet with Prime Minister Modi. This year, Japan will chair the G7 and India will chair the G20. I would like to exchange views on the role that our two countries should play in resolving the mountain of international challenges, and to further strengthen our "Special Strategic Global Partnership", Kishida tweeted in Japanese ahead of his visit to India.
"In addition, during my stay in India, I will announce a new plan on #Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP). We will present concrete ideas about the future of FOIP at this historical turning point," he added.
Both the heads of the nation will also talk about expanding bilateral ties in a range of areas including defence and security, trade and investments, and high technology along with priorities for India's G20 presidency and Japan's presidency of the G7.
The Japanese Prime Minister will unveil his "Free and Open Indo-Pacific Plan for Peace" during a lecture being organised by the Indian Council of World Affairs at the Sushma Swaraj Bhavan, reported news agency PTI.