Johannesburg, Nov 23 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with his Japanese counterpart, Sanae Takaichi, on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg. The meeting was described as "productive" by PM Modi, who noted that a strong India-Japan partnership is vital for a better planet. This was the first meeting between PM Modi and PM Takaichi after she assumed office as Japan's Prime Minister.

During the meeting, PM Modi and PM Takaichi discussed ways to add momentum to bilateral cooperation in sectors like innovation, defence, and talent mobility. They also explored ways to enhance trade ties between the two nations.

Earlier, on October 29, PM Modi had held a telephonic conversation with Takaichi, congratulating her on assuming office and discussing their shared vision for advancing the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership. The focus was on economic security, defence cooperation, and talent mobility. PM Modi had posted on X that stronger India-Japan ties are vital for global peace, stability, and prosperity.

During the telephonic conversation, Takaichi stated that Japan intends to continue working together with India towards realizing a "Free and Open Indo-Pacific", including through the Quad. She expressed her intention to work with PM Modi to open a new golden chapter in the Japan-India Special Strategic and Global Partnership.

Prior to this, on October 27, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met with his Japanese counterpart, Motegi Toshimitsu, on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in Malaysia's Kuala Lumpur. They discussed expanding bilateral ties and agreed to work closely to implement the joint vision for the next decade of India-Japan cooperation. EAM Jaishankar noted that their conversation reflected the strength and warmth of the Special Strategic and Global Partnership between the two nations.