Japan’s Suga, Indian PM Modi agree to bolster security, economic ties

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on Friday agreed with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi to continue strengthening ties between their countries during their first phone call since Suga took office last week.

Suga told Modi that he hopes to step up bilateral cooperation in security and economic areas and contribute to multilateral efforts for a “free and open Indo-Pacific,” including through a joint initiative with the US and Australia, according to Japan’s Foreign Ministry.

The two agreed to “elevate Japan and India’s special strategic and global partnership to a new level,” the ministry said.

Japan, under Suga’s predecessor Shinzo Abe, has stepped up security cooperation with India to counter China’s growing influence in the region.

Suga and Modi also agreed to push forward with plans to introduce Japanese high-speed trains to India and to resume mutual visits between the countries after the coronavirus pandemic subsides, the ministry said.