Japanese PM Abe lands in Delhi, Rs 8000-crore deal likely

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi who along with his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe attended the Business Leaders Forum. The train service would link the Indian financial hub of Mumbai with Ahmadabad, the commercial capital of Modi’s home state, Gujarat, cutting the travel time on the 505-kilometer (315-mile) route from eight hours to two.

Modi said, India and Japan will work together in East Asia Summit to promote an inclusive, balanced and open regional architecture and maritime security in the region.

Both the nations are expected to further explore the strengthening of the partnership in HSR sector.

“In September 2014 in Tokyo, Prime Minister Abe spoke of $35 billion of Japanese finance and investments for India over five years”, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said at a news conference with Abe.

During the summit talks past year, Modi and Abe had agreed to enhance defence and strategic cooperation to a new level and also chose to speed up negotiations on civil nuclear deal.

After the talks, Mr Abe will visit Varanasi and attend “Ganga Aarti” at famous Dasaswamedh Ghat.

“Today, there is a “Make In India” movement in Japan”. The project will be executed in a joint venture of the Indian and Japanese companies, Jaishankar said in a media briefing.

“It is shining symbol of a new level of mutual confidence and strategic partnership in the cause of a peaceful and secure world”, Modi said. Thereafter, Modi and Abe will interact with dignitaries over dinner wherein invitees include, besides the Governor, the CM and the Union Ministers, Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav, renowned musician and Padma Bhushan awardee Pandit Channu Lal Mishra, author Neerja Madhav, Pandit Ashok Dwivedi of the Kashi Visvanath Temple Trust and a number of other prominent personalities from various walks of life.

We also appreciate the sharp increase in Japanese bilateral assistance programme and the strength of public and private Japanese commitment for the Make in India mission.

“The figure had surprised many at that time, but today, within a short time-span, unimaginable progress had been made, and the contours of this investment were beginning to get visible on the ground”, he said.

At a time when there is a slowdown in the world economy, Prime Minister Modi, Japan and India are pacing towards high growth rate.

The Japanese Prime Minister is on a three-day visit to India, the highlight of which will be his trip to PM Modi’s constituency, Varanasi this afternoon. “I have been told that a $11-12 billion fund has been earmarked for it. This clearly indicates how both the countries can move forward”, he said.

Modi said as India and Japan will “shape an Asian century in our vision and values” as they realise Vision 2025 of their ties.