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Business News/ Politics / Policy/  Narendra Modi hopes to draw road map for India-Japan ties
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Narendra Modi hopes to draw road map for India-Japan ties

Modi is confident that his visit will write a new chapter in the annals of relations between Asia's two oldest democracies

Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Photo: Hindustan TimesPremium
Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Photo: Hindustan Times

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday described Japan as one of India’s “closest partners in political, economic, security and cultural realms" and hoped to draw up a road map for an India-Japan strategic partnership in his meetings with Japanese leaders.

In a statement on the eve of his five-day visit to Japan, Modi said Japan was his first bilateral visit outside the subcontinent, which “underlines the high priority that Japan receives in our foreign and economic policies. It is also a reflection of Japan’s paramount importance in my vision for development and prosperity in India and in peace, stability and prosperity in Asia at large".

Modi’s 30 August-3 September visit to Japan consists of two stops—Kyoto and Tokyo—both on the main island of Honshu. “I am confident that my visit will write a new chapter in the annals of the relations between Asia’s two oldest democracies and take our strategic and global partnership to the next higher level," he said.

Noting that he was meeting Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at a “time of enormous global challenges, from persisting economic weaknesses to turmoil and transitions in different parts of the world," Modi said he hoped to “exchange views with Prime Minister Abe on important regional and global developments of shared interest."

Describing Japan as a “key regional and global partner" for India, Modi said ties between the two countries have been marked by “goodwill and mutual admiration."

“The people in India are grateful for the seminal contribution made by Japan’s generous ODA (overseas development assistance) over the years to India’s economic, social and infrastructure development," he said.

On his first stop Kyoto, Modi said he would focus on “some of our nation’s priorities, including urban renewal and smart heritage cities as well as advanced scientific research." Urban rejuvenation and building smart cities have been part of Modi’s development mantra for India—a theme he repeatedly articulated during his pre-election campaign speeches.

“From there, I will proceed to Tokyo, where I hope to discuss with Prime Minister Abe the road map for our global and strategic partnership in the years ahead," he said.

“We will explore how Japan can associate itself productively with my vision of inclusive development in India, including the transformation of India’s manufacturing, infrastructure sectors, energy and social sectors. We will discuss how to boost our defence and security cooperation, including in defence technology, equipment and industry, in line with the evolving domestic policies of the two countries. I will try to accelerate progress on the unfinished agenda of projects and initiatives that our two countries have embarked upon," Modi added.

Modi’s Japan visit has been keenly anticipated. Planned for the first week of July, it was postponed because of the Prime Minister’s parliamentary commitments.

That Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Abe share a special relationship is clear from the fact that Modi is among three people that Abe follows on Twitter, the other two being Abe’s wife Akie Abe and a Japanese industrialist.

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Published: 29 Aug 2014, 08:36 PM IST
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