'Modi, Abe to give new dimension to India-Japan relations'

New Delhi, June 23 (IANS) Bilateral strategic and economic relations between India and Japan are at their best and the governments of both countries are keen to further strengthen them, an advisor to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Monday.

Addressing an event here through a video call from Tokyo, Tomohiko Taniguchi, special advisor to the cabinet of the Japanese prime minister, said the new Indian government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has shown keen interest in further strengthening bilateral ties.

"Modi and Abe are big leaders internationally. But together they can grow higher," Taniguchi said at the event organised by Ananta Aspen Centre here.

The interactive session on "India's Japan Moment: Leaders Must Capitalise" was organised ahead of Narendra Modi's planned visit to Tokyo.

"Japan and India can strengthen their relationship in the realms of foreign policy, economy and regional security in the Indo-Pacific," Taniguchi said.

He said the two countries should collaborate on development cooperation in African nations.

"Strengthening the defence architecture and nuclear energy are other areas of convergence," he added.