Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Yoshihide Suga have reaffirmed their commitment towards a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region. Ahead of the Quad meeting to be hosted by US President Joe Biden, they also reviewed the multi-faceted bilateral relationship and exchanged views on recent global developments. In the Thursday meeting, the two Prime Ministers agreed to enhance bilateral security and defense cooperation. According to a statement issued by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), they also agreed in the area of defense equipment and technologies. Indian PM Modi has given thanked to Suga for his personal commitment and leadership, both as Prime Minister and Chief Cabinet Secretary earlier, in enabling great advances in the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership over the last few years, it said. Prime Minister Modi in a tweet said that Japan is one of India's most valued partners. “I had an excellent meeting with PM @sugawitter on a variety of subjects that would further boost cooperation between our nations. A strong India-Japan friendship augurs well for the entire planet," Modi tweeted. "Furthering friendship with Japan," the MEA said in a tweet after the meeting.  "Prime Ministers @narendramodi and @sugawitter had a fruitful meeting in Washington DC. "Discussed a range of issues: Indo-Pacific, regional developments, supply chain resilience, trade, digital economy & P2P ties," the MEA said in another tweet. It further said that a special strategic and global partnership with Japan - firmly rooted in history and based on common values. The statement said that they welcomed the launch of the Supply Chain Resilience Initiative (SCRI) between India, Japan and Australia earlier this year as a collaborative mechanism to enable resilient, diversified and trustworthy supply chains. Modi highlighted the need to develop bilateral partnerships in manufacturing, MSME and skill development. In a statement, Prime Minister Suga informed Modi that in order to operationalise the Specified Skilled workers (SSW) agreement which was signed earlier this year, the Japanese side would be undertaking skill and language tests in India from early 2022, it said. PM Suga and PM Modi discussed the Covid pandemic and efforts to address it and highlighted the increasing importance of digital technologies. In this regard they positively evaluated the progress in the India-Japan Digital Partnership. They reaffirmed their commitment to advance efforts to facilitate the smooth and timely implementation of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR) project. Both Prime Minister also welcomed the progress in bilateral developmental projects in India's North Eastern Region under the India-Japan Act East Forum, it said.  Prime Minister Suga expressed if new administration in Japan will come, the strong momentum attained by the India-Japan partnership in the last few years would continue. Indian Prime Minister Modi conveyed that for India-Japan Annual Summit in the near future, he was looking forward to welcoming the next prime minister of Japan to India. Source: The Tribune

Yoshihide Suga was elected as the Prime Minister of Japan on Wednesday, replacing long-serving leader Shinzo Abe. Suga, who was chief Cabinet secretary in Abe’s government, is to launch his own Cabinet later in the day, reports AP. Suga has stressed his background as a farmer's son and a self-made politician in promising to serve the interests of ordinary people and rural communities. He was chosen as leader of the ruling party on Monday. Abe has resigned earlier because of ill health. He has said he will pursue Abe’s unfinished policies and that his top priorities will be fighting the coronavirus and turning around an economy battered by the pandemic. Abe said before the change was official that as a lawmaker, he will support Suga's government and he thanked the people for their understanding and strong support for the upcoming leadership under Suga. “I devoted my body and soul for the economic recovery and diplomacy to protect Japan’s national interest every single day since we returned to power,” Abe told reporters at the prime minister’s office before heading into his final Cabinet meeting. “During this time, I was able to tackle various challenges together with the people, and I'm proud of myself." Suga gained the support of party heavyweights and their followers early in the campaign on expectations he would continue Abe’s policies. Suga has been a loyal supporter of Abe since Abe’s first stint as prime minister from 2006 to 2007. Abe’s tenure ended abruptly because of illness, and Suga helped him return as prime minister in 2012. Abe, 65, has ulcerative colitis and his current treatment requires IV injections. He said last month his condition has improved but, facing ongoing treatment and physical weakness, he decided to resign. Suga has praised Abe’s diplomacy and economic policies when asked about what he would like to accomplish as prime minister. Suga, who does not belong to any wing within the party and opposes factionalism, says he is a reformer who will break down vested interests and rules that hamper reforms. He says he will set up a new government agency to speed up Japan’s lagging digital transformation. In a reshuffle of the ruling party key posts, however, Suga evenly allocated top posts to key factions, a balancing act seen as a return of favor for their support in the leadership race. Suga said he will appoint “reform-minded, hard-working people” to the new Cabinet. About half of the members in the Abe Cabinet are expected to be retained or shifted to different ministerial posts. Media reports say some key ministers, including Finance Minister Taro Aso, Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, Olympic Minister Seiko Hashimoto, and Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, the son of former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, will stay. Abe's younger brother, Nobuo Kishi, is reportedly tapped as defense minister, replacing Taro Kono who is expected be shifted to administrative reforms minister. Compared to his political prowess at home, Suga has hardly traveled overseas and his diplomatic skills are unknown, though he is largely expected to pursue Abe’s priorities. The new prime minister will inherit a range of challenges, including relations with China, which continues its assertive actions in the contested East China Sea, and what to do with the Tokyo Olympics, which were postponed to next summer due to the coronavirus. And he will have to establish a good relationship with whomever wins the US presidential race. Source: Xinhua/UNB AH