PM Narendra Modi and Japanese PM Suga Yoshihide Hold Talks Over Phone Call, Exchange Views on Challenges Posed by COVID-19 Pandemic

New Delhi, April 26: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday had a phone call today with Japanese counterpart Suga Yoshihide. The two leaders discussed the COVID-19 situation in the respective country and exchanged views on various regional and global challenges posed by the pandemic. They highlighted the importance of close India-Japan cooperation to overcome these challenges, such as by 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.

The two leaders emphasized the need for early operationalization of the Specified Skilled workers (SSW) agreement in order to synergize their strengths and achieve mutually beneficial outcomes. They also highlighted the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) project as a shining example of their cooperation and welcomed steady progress in its execution. ‘Japan to Work with India to Tackle Water-related Challenges’.

The two leaders appreciated the support and facilitation provided to resident citizens in each other’s country during the COVID-19 pandemic and agreed to continue such coordination. Prime Minister Modi also thanked Prime Minister Suga for providing assistance to India for combating the pandemic. He also expressed hope that he would be able to receive Prime Minister Suga in India at the earliest in the near future once the COVID-19 situation stabilizes.