Japan vows to work with Australia, India for free, open Indo-Pacific
(VOVWORLD) -Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida agreed with his Australian and Indian counterparts on Tuesday to cooperate in achieving a free and open Indo-Pacific, a vision that former leader Shinzo Abe advocated.
Kishida reached the agreements during separate meetings with Anthony Albanese and Narendra Modi ahead of the state funeral in Tokyo for Abe, Japan's longest-serving prime minister.
 Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (L) and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at a meeting in Tokyo September 27, 2022. (Photo: Kyodo/VNA) |
In his meeting with Modi, Kishida said Japan will build on the diplomatic achievements of Abe and continue cooperating with India to realize a free and open Indo-Pacific.
Modi said ties between Tokyo and New Delhi have reached a "new height" after expanding in many areas under Abe’s administration.
 Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (L) and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at a meeting in Tokyo on September 27, 2022. (Photo: Kyodo/VNA) |
In a separate meeting, the Japanese and Australian leaders pledged to deepen their security relations.