New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday congratulated Japanese PM Shinzo Abe on his fresh electoral victory and re-election, hailing him as a “dear friend”. Mr Abe had made a high-profile visit to India in September. The two leaders have established a close friendship, with the Indo-Japan relationship being seen by foreign policy experts as a counter to China’s increasing assertiveness in Asia.

“Heartiest greetings to my dear friend @AbeShinzo on his big election win. Look forward to further strengthen India-Japan relations with him,” PM Modi tweeted.

According to news agency reports, Mr Abe got a resounding victory in the snap polls held on Sunday, with his LDF-led coalition winning two-thirds majority.