During the meeting held at the Akasaka Palace, the two leaders hailed the good state of the diplomatic relations, 70 years after those ties were established.

According to a communique from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the host country, both officials called for the further development of the Japan-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership based on the results of the bilateral summit held in New Delhi in March.

They will also strengthen the defense cooperation as of joint military trainings, technology exchange and the holding of the second Foreign Affairs and Defense Ministerial Meeting (2+2) in the near future.

Kishida and Modi talked on loans and investments by Japanese companies in the Southeast Asian nation, estimated at some five trillion yen (around 39 billion dollars) over the next five years.

Speaking about the issues discussed at the recently concluded Summit of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), the two leaders agreed to work together to ensure a “free and open Indo-Pacific,” as well as to push forward the economic initiatives adopted at the event to bring substantial benefits to the region.

pgh/iff/oda/lcp