Japan natural partner in India's quest for peaceful Indo-Pacific: Jaishankar

Tokyo, Mar 7:  External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said on Thursday that India sees Japan as a natural partner in its development and transformation, and in its quest for peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

In his opening remarks at the 16th India-Japan Foreign Ministers' Strategic Dialogue in Tokyo, EAM Jaishankar said that the two Asian behemoths must find new ways to deepen and expand bilateral cooperation.

"We see Japan as a natural partner in India's development and transformation, and in quest for peace, prosperity and stability in a free Indo-Pacific. Both India and Japan stand for a free and open Indo-Pacific, underpinned by inclusiveness, and rules-based order," EAM Jaishankar said.