PM Modi unveils Mahatma Gandhi’s statue in Japan; Had bilateral talks with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida

Hiroshima: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday held bilateral talks with his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida, focusing on ways to coordinate efforts under the G7 and G20 presidencies to address various global challenges. The talks took place on the sidelines of the summit of the Group of Seven advanced economies in Hiroshima. While India is currently chairing the G20 grouping, Japan is chairing the G7.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said, “The leaders discussed ways to synergize the efforts of their respective G-20 and G-7 Presidencies. The Prime Minister stressed the need to highlight the concerns and priorities of the Global South.” It said the two leaders exchanged views on contemporary regional developments and discussed deepening cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.

“The leaders agreed on ways to further strengthen the bilateral Special Strategic and Global Partnership,” the foreign ministry said in a statement. It said tackling terrorism and reforming the United Nations were also discussed.

Unveiled the statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Hiroshima. This statue in Hiroshima gives a very important message. Gandhian ideals of peace and harmony resonate globally and give strength to millions. pic.twitter.com/22vVjHlzgn

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 20, 2023

“Discussions focused on the areas of education, skill development, tourism, lifestyle for environment (LIFE), green hydrogen, high technology, semiconductors and digital public infrastructure,” the MEA said.

This was the second meeting between Modi and Kishida this year after the Japanese Prime Minister’s visit to India in March. Prime Minister Modi thanked Kishida for planting a Bodhi sapling in Hiroshima, which he had gifted in March this year. Modi arrived in Hiroshima on Friday to attend the three sessions of the G7 summit at the invitation of Kishida.