Tokyo/IBNS: Calling India an "important partner", Japan said it hopes to work closely with New Delhi in “co-creating” new solutions through dialogue and collaboration to strengthen the relations between the two countries.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held a meeting with his Japanese counterpart Kamikawa Yoko during his visit to Tokyo to attend the Japan-Australia-India-US (Quad) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.

At the outset, Kamikawa stated that the four ministers had fruitful exchanges of views at the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.

She said that, as the world is at a turning point in history, Japan seeks to further work with India, an important partner in “co-creating” new solutions through dialogue and collaboration, and to further strengthen cooperation between the two countries.

In response, Minister Jaishankar stated that the Japan-India Special Strategic Global Partnership marks its 10th anniversary, and that he would like to further deepen cooperation in a wide range of areas, including economic, security and people-to-people exchanges.

The two ministers concurred to continue to strengthen a wide range of efforts on bilateral cooperation including the steady progress on the high-speed rail project.

They also welcomed the expansion of the JET Programme’s recruitment to Indian nationals and the commencement of the dispatch of “NIHONGO Partners” to India.

In addition, the two ministers also exchanged views on United Nations (UN) Security Council reform, looking ahead to the Summit of the Future to be held in September.