Indian PM Narendra Modi holds a meeting with Japan’s Yoshihide Suga in Washington DC. The two world leaders are meeting ahead of a Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, which will also include US President Joe Biden and Australian PM Scott Morrison.

“A Special Strategic and Global Partnership with Japan-firmly rooted in history & based on common values!

PM @narendramodi & PM @sugawitter met today. Discussed a range of issues: Indo-Pacific, regional developments, supply chain resilience, trade, digital economy & P2P ties”, India’s Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi wrote. 

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Meanwhile, the Indian PM‘s office said in a tweet the two world leaders had a “fruitful meeting” and “held discussions on several issues including ways to give further impetus to trade and cultural ties.”

Modi and Suga spoke in April this year and the two leaders underscored the importance of working together to create resilient, diversified and trustworthy supply chains, ensuring a reliable supply of critical materials and technologies, and developing new partnerships in manufacturing and skill development to deal with the crisis, PTI reported.

According to a statement released by the Ministry of External Affairs earlier this month, the leaders at the Quad Summit will “exchange views on contemporary global issues such as critical and emerging technologies, connectivity and infrastructure, cyber security, maritime security, humanitarian assistance/disaster relief, climate change and education”, ANI reported.

The statement added, “The Quad Summit would provide a valuable opportunity for dialogue and interactions among the leaders, anchored in their shared vision of ensuring a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region.”

The rare foreign trip by an outgoing Japanese leader comes as senior lawmakers in Suga’s governing party are busy ahead of a leadership election. Suga’s trip is seen as Japan trying to show continuity in its diplomacy and commitment to peace and democracy in the Indo-Pacific region, according to Associated Press reports.

The news comes hours after PM Modi gave a joint statement on Thursday with United States Vice President Kamala Harris.