Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Shinzo Abe, his Japanese counterpart, will set the “future direction” of the special strategic and global partnership between the two countries when they meet this week, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Monday.
Abe begins a two-day visit on Wednesday, during which he and Modi will hold the 12th India-Japan annual summit in Gandhinagar in Gujarat, the Economic Times reported.
The summit, the fourth between Modi and Abe, will take place amid rising tension in the region following the recent nuclear test by North Korea and China’s growing assertiveness in the South China Sea.
“The two leaders will review the recent progress in the multifaceted cooperation between India and Japan under the framework of their ‘Special Strategic and Global Partnership’ and will set its future direction,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.
India-Japan ties are strengthening in a range of areas, including defence and security.
In their annual defense dialogue last week, the two countries agreed to collaborate closely in defense production.
When Modi visited Japan in November last year, the two countries agreed to ramp up bilateral defense and security cooperation.