Did PM Modi Congratulate Japan's Takaichi on Her Landmark Victory?
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Key Takeaways
New Delhi, Feb 8 (NationPress) Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his heartfelt congratulations to Japan's Sanae Takaichi on her significant triumph in the snap elections, asserting his belief that the bond between India and Japan will reach new heights. "Congratulations Sanae Takaichi on your landmark victory in the elections to the House of Representatives! Our Special Strategic and Global Partnership is essential for fostering global peace, stability, and prosperity. I am optimistic that, under your capable leadership, we will elevate the India-Japan friendship further," PM Modi stated in a message on X.
Last November, PM Modi engaged in a bilateral discussion with PM Takaichi during the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, focusing on enhancing cooperation in various sectors, including innovation, defence, and talent mobility.
"I had a fruitful discussion with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi of Japan. We explored methods to accelerate bilateral collaboration in areas like innovation, defence, and talent mobility, while also aiming to strengthen trade relations between our nations. A robust India-Japan partnership is crucial for a healthier planet," PM Modi shared on X after their meeting.
The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), led by Takaichi, Japan's first woman Prime Minister, was projected to secure a convincing majority in the snap elections, potentially achieving a two-thirds majority with allies, according to exit polls released by Japanese media.
Once polling concluded on Sunday, an exit poll conducted by public broadcaster NHK indicated that the LDP was on track to win between 274 to 328 of the 465 seats in the powerful lower house of parliament, significantly exceeding the 233 seats required for a majority.
Alongside its coalition partner, the Japan Innovation Party, also known as Ishin, the LDP could secure as many as 366 seats in the House of Representatives, per the polls.
Takaichi unexpectedly dissolved the lower house for a snap election on January 23, marking the first dissolution at the start of a regular parliamentary session in 60 years. She had pledged to resign if the coalition lost its majority in the election.
Nevertheless, multiple opinion polls had suggested her LDP was on course for a decisive victory.