AMN / NEW DELHI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said that defence cooperation was a key pillar of the relationship between India and Japan. He said while interacting with visiting Japanese Defence Minister Itsunori Onodera, who called on him here today.
Mr Modi welcomed the strengthening of various defence dialogue mechanisms between the two countries, and the enhanced linkages between the armed forces of India and Japan. The Prime Minister also appreciated the progress in defence technology cooperation between the two countries.
Mr. Itsunori Onodera, Japan's Minister of Defence met PM @narendramodi in New Delhi. pic.twitter.com/PEOxyn94ML
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 20, 2018
Prime Minister Modi warmly recalled the successful visit of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to India last year, and said that he is looking forward to visiting Japan later this year. He also recalled his long association with Japan, since before assuming office as Prime Minister, and welcomed the broadening and deepening of the Special Strategic and Global Partnership between India and Japan in recent years.
Mr Onodera also held talks with Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman this afternoon covering a range of bilateral and regional issues of mutual interests. He arrived in New Delhi yesterday on a two-day visit to India with an aim to further strengthen military cooperation between the two countries.