Japan names new envoy before PM Modi's likely visit

NEW DELHI: Japan appointed senior diplomat Keiichi Ono as new ambassador to India. Ono has served as senior deputy minister for foreign affairs and as Japan's G7 sherpa, playing an important role in ensuring success of 2013 G7 summit in Hiroshima.

Ono, who is an expert on Japan-US relations, will take place of Hiroshi Suzuki who was appointed ambassador to the UK. India and Japan had last month held another round of 2+2 dialogue that saw the two sides reach an understanding to revise their landmark 2008 agreement for security cooperation.

The document, which will reflect contemporary priorities and be responsive to the current security challenges, will be adopted during PM Modi 's expected visit to Japan later this year. PM Modi is likely to meet the outgoing Japan PM Fumio Kishida later this month, on the margins of the UN general assembly in New York.

Japan media has reported Kishida will travel to the US for the upcoming UNGA session and participate also in the Quad summit that India is expected to host on the sidelines.