Japan's Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and India's counterpart Narendra Modi pose for a photo before talks on Sept. 23, 2021, in Washington. (Kyodo)

WASHINGTON - Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday expressed "strong opposition" to unilateral attempts to change the maritime status quo, the Japanese government said, alluding to Beijing's assertiveness in regional waters.