Japan, India “Strategically Aligned” Partner: Takaichi

New Delhi, July 1 (Jiji Press)–Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, in a contribution published in The Times of India on Wednesday, said that Japan and India are “strategically aligned” partners. “The relationship between Japan and India is now a strategically aligned trusted partnership,” she wrote in the Indian newspaper. She also said that she looks forward to her meeting with her Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, in the Indian capital of New Delhi on Thursday to discuss “how best to advance our relationship for future generations.” On Wednesday, Takaichi left Japan for her three-day trip to India. Touching on the late Shinzo Abe delivering a speech at the Indian parliament as Japan’s prime minister back in 2007, Takaichi said that the Free and Open Indo-Pacific initiative, which was proposed by Abe 10 years ago, “first took root” in India. “I wish to deepen cooperation in the field of security and strengthen our capacity to navigate the uncertain international landscape,” based on an updated version of the initiative, the Japanese prime minister said. She also brought up the “Industrial Value Chain” initiative, which involves areas in northeastern India, including the state of Assam, and Bangladesh. She mentioned projects under Japan’s official development assistance that aid efforts to carry out the initiative. By bringing up Assam, Takaichi is believed to have shown consideration for the Indian state after the chief minister of Assam voiced disappointment about the venue of the planned Takaichi-Modi summit being changed from Guwahati in Assam to New Delhi. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]