PM congratulates Shinzo Abe on poll victory

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh congratulated Shinzo Abe on his party`s victory in the general polls recently held.

New Delhi: Describing newly-elected Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe as a "key architect" of the strategic and global partnership between India and Japan, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday congratulated him on his party`s victory in the general polls recently held there.

In a message to Abe, Singh also emphasised on working with him for further strengthening relations between the two countries. "The Prime Minister underlined the importance of the strategic and global partnership between India and Japan and noted that Abe has been a key architect of this partnership. "He emphasised that the bilateral relationship between the two countries is of immense importance to ensure peace, stability and prosperity in the region and the world. He also noted that the rapid growth in the bilateral economic engagement (through trade, investment and flagship projects) has brought rich dividends to both the countries," official sources said. Singh also expressed confidence that Japan’s economy will further prosper and it will play an important role in world affairs under his leadership. Abe, who was also prime minister in 2006-2007, led the Liberal Democratic Party to victory in parliamentary elections held on December 16. PTI