(Image source from: Narendra Modi Shinzo Abe Twitter friendship takes off })

India's prime minister designate Narendra Modi and Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe share a Twitter friendship that seems to be well on its way to improve the bi-lateral relation between the two countries.

The two leaders, Modi and Abe, have been voted to power on the back of promise to revive the economy of their respective countries. Both of them are assertive nationalists, and have China as a neighbour and look at Beijing's growing regional ambitions with concern.

The Japanese PM follows only three people on Twitter - his wife Akie Abe,  a scandal-tainted politician Naoki Inose and Narendra Modi.

Ever since Modi was voted to power by a massive mandate in India's general election on May 16, pings have been moving to and fro between the two leaders on the micro-blogging platform.

One of Modi's several tweets said, "Personally, I have a wonderful experience of working with Japan ... I am sure we will take India-Japan ties to newer heights." This was the most exuberant of his replies to congratulations he received from foreign leaders.

On Tuesday, Abe's cheerful Twitter post from his @abeshinzo account said: "@narendramodi Great talking to you, Mr. Modi. I look forward to welcoming you in Tokyo and further deepening our friendly ties."

Currently, Japan ranks 13th among the top trading partners of India. The Indo-Japanese relationship have gathered strength in the recent years. The two countries have bilateral cooperation in the area of trade, infrastructure projects and defence that China keeps a close watch of.

According to official records, the Indo-Japan trade was valued at  $18.5 billion in 2012/13. But Indo-China trade share stood at $65.8 billion in 2012/13.

Relations between 63-year-old Modi and  Shinzo Abe goes back to around seven years, when Modi was Gujarat's chief minister and met Abe on a visit to Japan in 2007. Again in 2012, Modi met Abe, when he was in opposition. The same year Modi called up Abe congratulating him on his return to office.

Indian security analyst Brahma Chellaney reportedly said that Modi's victory is likely to strengthen the Indo-Japanese ties, which is the fastest-developing bilateral relationship in Asia, driven by India's 'Look East' policy.

(AW: Pratima Tigga)