- PM Narendra Modi is said to share a cordial relationship with the Japanese PM Shinzo Abe right from his Chief Ministerial days. Mr. Abe was the first to congratulate Mr. Modi on his win, he even was the Chief Guest for the Republic Day.
- Besides, India and Japan are all set for a civil nuclear cooperation agreement, major naval exercises, and many other infrastructural joint ventures.
- After his win, Modi first visited Bhutan to strengthen his commitment to sub-continental neighbours, but was expected to next visit Japan.
- However, he had to put off his Japan visit owing to parliamentary commitments and is likely to only visit Japan after his meeting with other world leadersincluding SAARC and BRICS leaders and South American heads of State.
- This has not gone down well with Japan, which had already started preparing for his visit, with the Japanese media even commenting on India’s high-level meetings with their rival China and also Modi’s meeting with the Chinese President.
- Japan also called off its Indo-U.S.-Japan trilateral meeting scheduled for June 23 in New Delhi, although officials maintained it was an unconnected event.
- Read at:http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-international/japan-slides-to-a-distant-date-in-modis-calendar/article6210841.ece