New Delhi, July 5 -- Rajya Sabha MP and former Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla on Sunday described Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's recent official visit to India as a major step forward in bilateral ties, particularly in the strategic and defence sectors.

Speaking to ANI following her visit, Shringla said the visit marked significant progress in India-Japan strategic cooperation, highlighting the agreement on co-development in the defence industry.

"When you talk about her visit in strategic terms, I think it is very important because we have been able to take that one step forward. What we have done is that we have also signed an agreement that provides for the co-development of defence industries. We will be working ...