Congratulating new Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on his party's victory in the recent polls, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Wednesday lauded him as a key architect of the India-Japan strategic partnership.
Manmohan Singh hoped for further strengthening of ties between the two countries.
The prime minister "underlined the importance of the strategic and global partnership between India and Japan", said official sources.
In his congratulatory note to the Japanese prime minister, Singh noted that Abe has been "a key architect of this partnership."
Alluding to the rapid growth in the bilateral economic engagement through trade, investment and flagship projects, Singh said the "bilateral relationship between the two countries is of immense importance to ensure peace, stability and prosperity in the region and the world".
Singh "expressed confidence that Japan's economy will further prosper and Japan will play an important role in the world affairs under his leadership," said the sources.
The prime minister emphasised on working with Abe "for further strengthening India's relations with Japan."
Abe is known to be a strong proponent of stronger India-Japan relations and had backed the India-Japan nuclear deal, when he was prime minister over five years ago.
Singh is expected to travel to Japan for the annual summit early next year.
Abe, who was also Japan's prime minister in 2006-2007 led his party to victory in parliamentary elections held Dec 16.