India and Japan discuss next steps after change of guard in Tokyo

<p>
 </p>
<p>
<strong>Japan's new foreign minister Yoshimasa Hayashi has begun work on further consolidating the 'Japan-India Special Strategic and Global Partnership' and strengthening the relationship between the two countries.</strong></p>
<p>
Hayashi called External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday and both spoke for about 20 minutes, discussing ways to make the 70th anniversary of the establishment of India-Japan diplomatic relations in 2022 even more special.<br />
 <br />
Both ministers discussed ways to deepen cooperation on economic security such as through establishing resilient supply chains besides exchanging views on bilateral relations.<br />
<br />
In addition to wide-ranging security cooperation including in the new fields such as cyber, space and economic security, the two ministers also discussed economic cooperation in areas such as climate change countermeasures, digital and healthcare. They also decided to continue the efforts to steadily advance the construction of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail, which is the Japan-India flagship project.<br />
<br />
They also affirmed to work closely toward the realization of a shared view of 'Free and Open Indo-Pacific' through bilateral cooperation and quadrilateral cooperation involving Australia and the United States.<br />
<br />
"The two ministers discussed regional situations and shared their strong opposition to any unilateral attempt to change the status quo by force in the East China Sea and South China Sea and any economic coercion," said a statement from the Japanese Foreign Ministry.<br />
<br />
Both Hayashi and Jaishankar confirmed that resuming both leaders' annual mutual visits is of particular importance and decided to work together for the early realization of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's visit to India at an appropriate timing. The two countries would also coordinate to hold the next round of Japan-India 2+2 Foreign and Defence Ministerial meeting.<br />
<br />
Japan said that the two ministers also discussed the situation in North Korea, including its nuclear and ballistic missile activities. Furthermore, the two ministers decided to promote further cooperation in regional situations such as Myanmar and Afghanistan, in tackling global challenges such as measures against Covid-19 and counter terrorism, in the levels of international areas such as disarmament and non-proliferation as well as UN Security Council reform.<br />
<br />
<strong>Also Read: <a href="https://www.indianarrative.com/world-news/following-shinzo-abe-s-footsteps-japan-s-new-pm-fumio-kishida-will-be-another-friend-of-india-for-life-118732.html">Following Shinzo Abe's footsteps, Japan's new PM Fumio Kishida will be another 'friend of India for life'</a></strong></p>