PM Modi reaches Japan for Quad summit, bilateral meetings
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Japan on Monday to attend the Quad summit aimed at enhancing cooperation among member nations, Australia, India, Japan, and the United States and discussing developments in the strategic Indo-Pacific region. PM Modi is on a two-day visit to Japan where he will meet US President Joe Biden, the newly-elected Australian PM Anthony Albanese, and Japanese PM Fumio Kishida.
Why does this story matter?
At Tuesday's Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad summit), a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region, emerging and critical technologies, maritime security, climate change, and challenges and progress linked to COVID-19 will be discussed. China, which has territorial disputes with many countries in the Indo-Pacific region, slammed the Indo-Pacific strategy, saying it was a ploy to create divisions and incite confrontation in the region.
PM interacts with children outside Tokyo hotel
Outside a hotel in Tokyo, PM Modi interacted with the members of the Indian community. He met children, saw their drawings, and also signed autographs. "Landed in Tokyo. Will be taking part in various programs during this visit including the Quad Summit, meeting fellow Quad leaders, interacting with Japanese business leaders and the vibrant Indian diaspora," Modi tweeted in both English and Japanese.
PM Modi interacting with children
India-Japan partnership key pillar of secure Indo-Pacific region
Underscoring the importance of closer India-Japan cooperation, PM Modi said that the partnership was a key pillar of a stable and secure Indo-Pacific region. PM Modi also said he was looking "forward to continuing our conversation further, with an aim to strengthen the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership." PM had hosted Fumio Kishida at the 14th India-Japan Annual Summit in March 2022.
Modi, Biden to hold bilateral talks today
On Monday, the US President will launch the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) aimed at binding regional countries more closely through common standards in areas including supply chain resilience, clean energy, infrastructure, and digital trade. PM Modi will also hold bilateral talks with Biden, where they will discuss the Ukraine crisis. He is also set to meet business leaders and the Indian community on Monday.
PM Modi to hold talks with new Australian PM
PM Modi will also hold a bilateral meeting with Australian PM Albanese during which the "multifaceted cooperation between the two countries under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, and regional and global issues of mutual interest will be discussed." Notably, Albanese's center-left Labor Party ousted predecessor Scott Morrison's conservative coalition at Saturday's election. The coalition had been in power under three prime ministers for nine years.
