Japan's new Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has vowed to strengthen the Quad alliance with India, Australia and the United States in a bid a to counter the rising influence of China in the Indo-Pacific region.
After taking over as the country's 100th PM, Kishida outlined his government's policy on Friday, asserting that Tokyo will continue to "strongly promote a free and open Indo-Pacific by cooperating with allies" through Quad.
Interestingly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also spoke to Kishida today with the two leaders affirming their faith on enhancing cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.
"Spoke with H.E. Fumio Kishida to congratulate him for assuming charge as the Prime Minister of Japan. I look forward to working with him to further strengthen India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership and to enhance cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region," tweeted PM Modi on Friday.
As reported by India Narrative last week, Kishida, during his election campaign, had emphasised on promotion of a free and open Indo-Pacific concept through promotion of "2 + 2 with comrades such as Japan, the United States, Australia and India".
Just like Shinzo Abe and Yoshihide Suga, he also values Japan's association with India which has been strengthened by shared values of belief in democracy.
Modi-Kishida conversation happened on a day India and Japan wrapped up the fifth edition of JIMEX – an India–Japan maritime bilateral exercise in the Arabian Sea.
While naval cooperation between India and Japan has increased in scope and complexity over years, the defence ministeries of both the countries continue to further enhance the cooperation and fortify the long-standing bond of friendship.
Also Read: India-Japan maritime exercise begins in Arabian Sea from Wednesday
In the coming weeks, the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) will also be holding a joint air combat exercise.
