Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday got a formal invite from Japanese Premier Shinzo Abe. Sources said Modi is likely to visit Japan in July.

Soon after the poll results were announced on May 16, Abe had called up Modi and invited him to continue with the annual summit meetings to work closely towards further development of the Indo-Japan Strategic and Global Partnership.

Shinzo Abe invites Narendra Modi to visit Japan in July Shinzo Abe invites Narendra Modi to visit Japan in July

"I whole heartedly congratulate you on the historic victory of BJP in the General Elections. Japan and India are sharing fundamental values and strategic interests as the two biggest democratic countries in Asia. I would like to work closely with you towards further development of the Japan-India Strategic and Global Partnership. For that purpose, I would like to invite you to Japan to continue the annual summit meetings between the Prime Ministers of Japan and India," Abe had said.

Interestingly, Abe, who has lakhs of followers on Twitter (@AbeShinzo), follows only three people, including Modi. Abe, whose comeback to power in 2012 gave Japan both hope and pride, shares very good ties with Modi.

After Abe called him up, Modi took to Twitter to thank him. Modi specifically mentioned that his Japanese counterpart had continued to be in touch with him during his tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister, even though he was a diplomatic pariah for the western countries.

"Personally, I have a wonderful experience of working with Japan as CM. I am sure we will take India-Japan ties to newer heights," Modi tweeted.

There are striking similarities in the rise of the two leaders. Just as Abe's return to power in late 2012, after six years of political instability, reflected Japan's determination to reinvent itself as a more competitive and confident country, Modi rides on the Indian voters' strong sentiment for growth and development after years of policy paralysis.

Drawing a comparison between the two leaders, analyst and strategic thinker Brahma Chellaney wrote: "The 63-year-old Modi mirrors Abe's soft nationalism, market-oriented economics, and new Asianism, seeking close ties with Asian democracies to create a web of interlocking strategic partnerships."

Their models of development, Abe's in Japan and Modi's in Gujarat, have been similar too.

Abe's comeback into the political arena and his push for economic recovery after years of fiscal doldrums have given the country reason to believe a lasting recovery is finally in sight. Abe's set of economic policies, known as "Abenomics," were designed to increase consumer spending, helping to drive the economy and turn around deflation.

Abe has expressed his desire to strengthen relations with the Southeast Asian region, politically and economically. His new-found confidence in Modi could change the global power axis, creating a new front away from the West.