New Delhi, Jan 14 (Bureau) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday spoke with his Japanese counterpart Hayashi Yoshimasa during which the two agreed to elevate the ‘Japan-India Special Strategic and Global Partnership’ to greater heights, including through high-level exchanges. During the telephone talk, that lasted 20 minutes, the two discussed the Covid situation, travel facilitation and the Quad. The EAM said that the two sides are looking forward to celebrating the 70th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic relations in a befitting manner. They also discussed Myanmar and North Korea, which fired another projectile this week, its third weapons test this month. “Delighted to have a New Year conversation with Japanese FM @hayashi09615064. “Discussed Covid situation, travel facilitation, bilateral projects, Quad, Myanmar and North Korea.
“Look forward to celebrating the 70th anniversary of our diplomatic relations in a befitting manner,” the EAM tweeted. A Japanese Foreign Ministry read out of the phone conversation said that the two ministers spoke for 20 minutes and this was FM Yoshimasa’s second telephone talk with Jaishankar. “The two ministers stated that they are pleased to talk to each other again following the telephone talk held immediately after Minister Hayashi’s appointment as Minister for Foreign Affairs. “The two ministers exchanged views on Japan-India relations, which marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations this year. “They agreed to elevate the “Japan-India Special Strategic and Global Partnership” to greater heights by achieving concrete outcomes in wide ranging areas such as political and security issues, economy and people-to-people exchanges at the occasions of high-level exchanges including Prime Minister Kishida’s visit to India, 2+2 Foreign and Defense Ministerial Meeting and Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue. “In this context, the two ministers shared the view to enhance cooperation in such fields as digital, cyber, defense equipment and technology and enhancement of connectivity in India’s North Eastern region and confirmed to steadily advance the construction of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail, which is the Japan-India flagship project. “The two ministers discussed the situation of North Korea and the recent missile launches and confirmed that they would continue to closely coordinate on the response to North Korea, including the abductions issue.
“They also discussed the Japan-Australia-India-U.S. quadrilateral cooperation as well as regional affairs such as Myanmar and confirmed to work hand-in-hand with each other,” the readout said. The talks come as the navies of the two countries are involved in joint maritime exercises in the Bay of Bengal as part of enhanced defence cooperation. Indian Naval Ships Shivalik and Kadmatt undertook a Maritime Partnership Exercise with Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) Ships Uraga and Hirado in the Bay of Bengal on Thursday (January 13). Earlier this month, India unveiled its special logo to mark the 70 years of diplomatic relations. The Indian logo depicts a peacock and a green pheasant, which are the national birds of India and Japan respectively. The pheasant forms the numeral 7 with its tail and the Peacock forms the numeral 0. The logo symbolises the bond of friendship between the two countries. To mark the 70th anniversary, a number of events are planned to be held in India and Japan throughout the year. These include cultural activities, exhibitions and seminars, covering diverse areas of India-Japan bilateral relations. India and Japan established diplomatic relations on April 28, 1952. The Japanese side had launched its logo earlier this year.