Chinese state media has struck a conciliatory tone on Fumio Kishida in the hope of better relations. But a lot depends on the new Japan PM's stance on Taiwan.
PM Modi said cooperation by the four democracies will ensure peace & prosperity in the Indo-Pacific, while US President Biden said Quad countries have a common vision for the future.
Joe Biden added that he and Yoshihide Suga have already met several times virtually at a G7 meeting and a Quad Leader Summit but appreciates the exchange of ideas face to face.
Suga is also expected to push PM Modi for holding an 'early and in-person' Quad Summit on the sidelines of G-7 Summit in UK in June where India will be a special guest.
PM Modi and his Japanese counterpart Yoshihide Suga spoke on the telephone Tuesday ahead of a gathering of all four leaders of the Quad countries — US, India, Japan and Australia.
Yoshihide Suga had some of the highest approval ratings for a new PM, but has since seen a dip of 7 percentage points, raising the risk of him being replaced by the ruling party.
Japan has had the lowest infection & death rates among Group of Seven nations, mostly relying on residents to show self-restraint and businesses to comply with voluntary measures.
In the 50 years prior to Abe’s record eight-year tenure, Japan averaged a new PM about every two years. The challenge now is for Suga to continue Abe's long run.
A farmer’s son long known as Abe’s back-room fixer, Suga is set for an overwhelming victory in the party election. He could win over 60% of the 535 votes up for grabs.
In tactical terms, the shirtless protest was worse than a self-goal. Suddenly, the fiascos of the AI Summit were forgotten, and the Youth Congress’s disruption became the issue.
IAF is fine with accepting the aircraft with 'must-haves', even if some other steps remain pending, which may take at least another year, it is learnt.
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