PM Modi, Japan Premier Suga reaffirm commitment for free, open Indo-Pacific

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Yoshihide Suga have reaffirmed their commitment towards a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region.

The two leaders met in New York and reviewed the multi-faceted bilateral relationship and exchanged views on recent global developments, including in Afghanistan.

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The meeting came ahead of the first in-person Quad meeting to be hosted by US President Joe Biden.

During their meeting, the two Prime Ministers agreed to enhance bilateral security and defence cooperation, including in the area of defence equipment and technologies, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs.

Prime Minister Modi thanked Suga for his personal commitment and leadership in enabling great advances in the India-Japan Special Strategic & Global Partnership over the last few years, it said.

"The two Prime Ministers reviewed the multi-faceted relationship between the two countries and exchanged views on recent global and regional developments, including in Afghanistan. They reaffirmed their commitment towards a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region," it said.

The two Prime Ministers welcomed the increasing economic engagement between the two countries.