Prime Minister Modi Meets Japan’s New Leader Shigeru Ishiba at ASEAN-India Summit
In Vientiane, Laos, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Japan’s newly appointed Prime Minister, Shigeru Ishiba, during the 21st ASEAN-India Summit. The leaders emphasized their commitment to a peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific region, highlighting India and Japan as key partners. Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Laos, at the invitation of Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, also includes participation in the 19th East Asia Summit, marking a decade of India’s Act East Policy.
Prime Minister Modi shared on social media about his productive meeting with Prime Minister Ishiba, discussing cooperation in infrastructure, connectivity, defense, and cultural linkages. He congratulated Ishiba on his new role and expressed India’s priority in strengthening ties with Japan, a trusted friend and strategic partner.
The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership, focusing on trade, investment, infrastructure, defense, semiconductors, and cultural exchanges. They also looked forward to the next India-Japan annual summit.
Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, highlighted the fruitful talks between the two leaders, focusing on technology, trade, defense, security, and cultural exchanges. The historical ties between Japan and India date back to the 6th century, with significant diplomatic engagements in recent years, including Prime Minister Modi’s visits to Japan and meetings with former Prime Minister Shizo Abe and current Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
Doubts Revealed
Prime Minister Modi -: Prime Minister Modi refers to Narendra Modi, who is the current Prime Minister of India. He is a leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and has been in office since 2014.
Shigeru Ishiba -: Shigeru Ishiba is a Japanese politician who, in this context, is mentioned as the new Prime Minister of Japan. He is known for his work in defense and agriculture in Japan.
ASEAN-India Summit -: The ASEAN-India Summit is a meeting between India and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which is a group of 10 countries in Southeast Asia. They discuss cooperation in various fields like trade, security, and culture.
Indo-Pacific region -: The Indo-Pacific region refers to the geographic area that includes the Indian Ocean and the western and central Pacific Ocean. It is important for trade and security, and many countries, including India and Japan, work together to keep it peaceful.
Infrastructure -: Infrastructure refers to the basic physical systems and structures needed for a country to function, like roads, bridges, and power supply. Improving infrastructure helps in the development and growth of a country.
Defense cooperation -: Defense cooperation means countries working together to improve their military capabilities and ensure security. This can include joint exercises, sharing technology, and strategic planning.
Cultural exchanges -: Cultural exchanges involve sharing and learning about each other’s traditions, art, and customs. This helps countries understand each other better and build strong relationships.
Strategic partnership -: A strategic partnership is a long-term relationship between countries that work together on important issues like security, trade, and technology. It helps them achieve common goals and face challenges together.
