Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Thursday listed the actions taken by India and Japan to realize the vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific and raising the special strategic and global partnership between the two sides among key achievements. in bilateral relations.
Abe made the remarks during a 30-minute phone conversation with his Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, according to a reading by the Japanese Foreign Ministry. Abe, Japan’s longest-serving prime minister, made the call to explain his decision last month to resign for health reasons.
However, the two leaders made it clear that the leadership change in Japan would not affect the general arc of bilateral relations.
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Abe and Modi established a good working relationship and helped advance bilateral ties in a number of areas, especially economic cooperation, maritime security and the Indo-Pacific.
Both Prime Ministers affirmed that the basic policy of the Japan-India emphasis remains unchanged, and agreed with each other that the two countries continue to work closely together in areas such as security, economy and economic cooperation, including the high-speed rail project. , ”Said the Japanese reading.
Referring to the significant improvement of bilateral relations in recent years, Abe said that both prime ministers “took steps to realize the vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific and the special strategic and global partnership between Japan and India was elevated to greater heights “.
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Abe and Modi welcomed the signing of the agreement between the two countries on the reciprocal provision of supplies and services between the Japan Self-Defense Forces and the Indian armed forces, or the Acquisition and Cross Services Agreement (ACSA), the September 9.
“This agreement will facilitate the smooth provision of supplies and services between the Japan Self-Defense Forces and the Indian Armed Forces. It will also promote closer cooperation between forces on the ground, thus contributing to world peace and security, ”the reading reads.
Abe, explaining his decision to resign, expressed “gratitude for the friendship and trusting relationship” built with Modi and noted the memories of their mutual annual visits. Modi expressed appreciation for all of Abe’s efforts and recalled the time they spent together, according to the reading.
Modi also reiterated his appreciation for Abe’s leadership in promoting the India-Japan relationship.
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