New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Japan’s newly appointed Prime Minister, Shigeru Ishiba, in Laos on Thursday during the annual ASEAN summit. This was the first meeting between the two leaders. Japan is a key strategic partner for India, and PM Modi has maintained strong relations with its top leadership over the years.
During the meeting, PM Modi congratulated Ishiba on his new role and expressed his best wishes for Japan’s continued growth under his leadership. Modi reaffirmed that India places the highest priority on its strategic partnership with Japan.
The two leaders discussed ways to further strengthen the special strategic relationship between India and Japan. They expressed their commitment to closer cooperation in various sectors, including business and investment, defense and security, and semiconductor technology. Both also highlighted the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, emphasizing the crucial role of India-Japan relations in this regard.
According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, the leaders also discussed the upcoming India-Japan Summit, reinforcing their shared vision for deeper collaboration.
On the broader platform, during his participation in the ASEAN-India and East Asia Summit, PM Modi stressed the importance of India-ASEAN friendship in a world facing multiple challenges and conflicts. He underscored that India is a peace-loving nation and values the unity and integrity of nations. Modi also emphasized India’s commitment to ensuring a bright future for its youth through partnerships with ASEAN.
As part of India’s development partnership with ASEAN, over 300 students have benefited from scholarships at Nalanda University. Collaborative efforts are also ongoing in Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar, and Indonesia to preserve shared heritage and culture. During his visit to Laos, PM Modi was received with honors, including a formal Guard of Honor, marking the significance of the event.
