Bilateral ties with Japan will continue to receive priority, Prime Minister Modi says
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a significant bilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Apulia, Italy on Friday (June 14, 2024). Prime Minister Modi highlighted the mutual interests of India and Japan in advancing ties across various strategic sectors, including defence, technology, and semiconductors.
 
"It was a delight to meet PM Kishida on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Italy. Strong ties between India and Japan are important for a peaceful, secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific. Our nations look forward to working together in defence, technology, semiconductors, clean energy and digital technology," Prime Minister Modi wrote on X, formerly Twitter. 

He added that two nations also wished to advance ties in infrastructure and cultural linkages.
 
The meeting underscored the deepening ties between the two nations, particularly in the context of their shared vision for a peaceful, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.
 
Expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Kishida for his congratulatory wishes upon assuming office for the third consecutive term, Prime Minister Modi affirmed that bilateral ties with Japan will continue to receive priority. 

"The two leaders noted that the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership is in its 10th year and expressed satisfaction at the progress made in the relationship,' the MEA said. They discussed ways to deepen cooperation further, adding new and emerging areas, and strengthening B2B and P2P cooperation, the MEA added. 
 
The meeting comes at a time when India and Japan are collaborating on several important areas.
 
One of the flagship initiatives is the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail project, which represents a leap forward in India's mobility infrastructure. This project is expected to set new standards for speed and efficiency in rail travel within the country.

Another critical area of cooperation is the targeted 5 trillion-yen worth of Japanese investment in India during the 2022-2027 period. This investment is aimed at bolstering India's industrial and economic landscape, fostering innovation, and enhancing the overall competitiveness of Indian industries.
 
The India-Japan Industrial Competitiveness Partnership is another cornerstone of their collaboration. This partnership focuses on transforming manufacturing cooperation, with an emphasis on technological advancements, skill development, and the integration of best practices from both nations.

Concluding their talks, Prime Ministers Modi and Kishida expressed their eagerness to continue their discussions at the next India-Japan annual summit. This forthcoming summit is expected to further solidify the strategic partnership between the two nations and explore new avenues for cooperation.
 
The bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Kishida was a significant highlight of Modi's visit to the G7 Summit. It followed a series of discussions with other global leaders, including those from France, the UK, Ukraine, the US, Italy, and Germany.

The meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the G7 Summit was a reaffirmation of the strong and enduring ties between India and Japan. As both nations navigate the complexities of the global landscape, their collaboration serves as a beacon of stability and progress, promising a future of shared prosperity and mutual growth.