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| Edited By: DNA Web Team |Source: DNA webdesk |Updated: Sep 14, 2017, 05:45 PM IST
Strongly pitching for a 'zero- tolerance' approach towards terrorism, India and Japan agreed to strengthen cooperation against terror groups like Al-Qaida and Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe asked Islamabad to bring to book the perpetrators of terror strikes, including those involved in the Mumbai (2008) and Pathankot (2016) attacks, according to a joint statement issued after their annual summit.
Meanwhile, deepening the special strategic ties, India and Japan on Thursday signed 15 agreements.
"Indo-Japan ties not limited to bilateral or regional spheres. We also have close cooperation on key global issues," the Prime Minister said addressing media
Modi also said that Japan invested $4.7 billion in India in 2016-17, 80 % higher than last year.
Japanese Prime Minister Abe said that Japan-India-US cooperation will be further strengthened as he referred to recent Malabar trilateral naval exercise.
"We have agreed upon a Japan-India investment support road map," said Abe after his talks with Modi.
Earlier in the day, Abe and Modi laid the foundation stone for India's first bullet train project between Ahmedabad and Mumbai which is expected to be completed by 2022.
Stating that the motto of the project is more productivity with high-speed connectivity, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "I congratulate the people of India as we have taken a bold step to realise an old dream of a bullet train."
"Bullet train project will not only shorten the distance between places but among people too - "Aapnu amdavad & Amchi Mumbai," said Modi.
"The bullet train is a big gift from Japan to India. Japan is such a friend that it gave a loan of Rs 88,000 crore at 0.1% interest," Modi said.
Meanwhile, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe called Modi as a visionary leader and said that Indo-Japan partnership is special, strategic and global.
"If we merge Japan's Ja and India's I then it became 'Jai'. If we work together nothing is impossible," Abe said.
The Prime Minister also said that he hopes to enjoy the beautiful scenery of India through the windows of bullet train when he comes back here in few years.
Highlights of Day-1 visit
► Breaking protocol, Prime Minister Modi personally welcomed Abe and Japan's First Lady Akie Abe at the Ahmedabad airport
► Immediately after the welcome ceremony, Abe, his wife, and Modi set-off on an 8-km roadshow in an open-roof jeep.
► At the Sabarmati Ashram set up by Mahatma Gandhi, Abe and his wife paid homage to the Father of the Nation.
► The dignitaries then headed to Sidi Sayyed Mosque, famous for its intricate artwork. Modi explained the mosque's heritage to his Japanese counterpart.
Latest updates
Showcasing the strong #IndiaJapan economic ties.
— Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) September 14, 2017
PM @narendramodi & PM @AbeShinzo take a tour of the exhibition halls pic.twitter.com/nU0NgS3Yek
Highlights of PM Modi's speech
- When I first visited Japan as Gujarat CM, I had said to them that I wanted a mini Japan in Gujarat. Today, that dream has come true.
- Today, four locations have been finalised for development of Japanese Industrial townships in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu
- A foundation has been laid for production of lithium batteries for electric mobility
- A series of administrative reforms have significantly improved the business sentiment in the country
- Japan can benefit with the size and scale of our potential and skilled hands that India offers
- I have been saying that 21st Century is Asia’s Century. Today, Asia has emerged as the new centre of global growth
- The growing convergence between Japan and India on strategic and economic issues has capacity to stimulate the global economy
- With the strength of our friendship & trust, I invite more and more Japanese people and companies to come, live and work in India
The two Prime Ministers condemned in the strongest terms North Korea's continued development of its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs, including the latest nuclear test conducted by North Korea on September 3, as well as its uranium enrichment activities.
They emphasised the need for stronger international partnership in countering terrorism and violent extremism, including through increased sharing of information and intelligence. They called for enhanced bilateral cooperation in this regard.
They also called for Pakistan to bring to justice the perpetrator of terrorist attacks including those of the November 2008 terrorist attack in mumbai and the 2016 Terrorist attack in Pathankot.
We appreciate the warm welcome & hospitality. Dhanyawaad; Japanese PM Shinzo Abe
I urge Japanese business community to open maximum number of Japanese restaurant chains in India: PM Modi
Deepening the Special Strategic & Global Partnership. India Japan sign 15 agreements/documents during the 12th India Japan Annual Summit
Expanding the horizons of bilateral relationship.
— Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) September 14, 2017
The two leaders witness the exchange of MoUs/Agreements between #IndiaJapan pic.twitter.com/OBARyOTGOy
PM @narendramodi and PM @AbeShinzo review entire spectrum of bilateral cooperation https://t.co/Xt9QH4Prqv pic.twitter.com/Cnbiw8Eqi0
— DNA (@dna) September 14, 2017
Ahead of bilateral talks, PM Modi welcomes PM Shinzo Abe at Mahatma Mandir
When earlier I talked about bullet train, they (oppn) used to say it was big talk, and now when it has come they are saying what is the need for it: PM Modi
PM Modi addresses after launch of Bullet train project
► Bullet Train project will bring employment and speed
► Next generation growth will be around high-speed corridors
► Transport system is of prime importance for a nation's development
► High-Speed train project will open doors for economic growth
► Next generation growth will happen at places where there are high-speed corridors
► Economic growth of any country is directly connected with productivity. 'More Productivity with High-Speed Connectivity'.
► If one says take a loan and return it in 50 years, is it believable? But Japan is such a friend, they gave us a loan of 88,000 crores at lowest interest rate.
► Bullet Train project will not only shorten the distance between places but among people too- "Aapnu amdavad & Amchi Mumbai"
► A new economic system is being developed on Mumbai-Ahmedabad route. The region will become Single Economic Zone
► If technology is used to empower the poor we can win the fight against poverty
Shinzo Abe addresses after launch of Bullet Train Project
► Shinzo Abe starts his address with 'Namaskar', calls PM Modi a visionary leader.
► Dear friend PM Modi is a far sighted leader. He made a decision of making New India and chose Japan as a partner, we completely support it. Japan is committed for 'Make In India'.
► If we merge Japan's Ja and India's I then it became 'Jai'. If we work together nothing is impossible.
► I wish next time will visit Ahmedabad by travelling in Shinkansen (BulletTrain).
► I really like Gujarat and I really like India. I will do whatever I can for India.
With laying foundation of BulletTrain, we are also laying foundation of 'New India': Maharashtra CM Fadnavis
Welcome Japanese PM Shinzo Abe & express gratitude towards Japan. Entire Gujarat is experiencing immense joy today: Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani
Shiv Sena condemns 'unnecessary' bullet train project
The announcement of Japan and India's joint bullet train project has been received with much disapproval by the Shiv Sena.
In the editorial of its mouthpiece, Saamna, the party on Thursday claimed that a bullet train between Mumbai and Ahmedabad is unnecessary when the Indian Railways and the Mumbai local trains are already suffering, and the basic problems of the country are going unresolved.
"Even as Mumbai suburb's local trains suffer daily, a bullet train will be running between Ahmedabad and Mumbai," commented the Shiv Sena.
This Bullet Train will be a symbol of brotherhood between people of India and Japan: Railway Minister Piyush Goel
PM Modi & Japanese PM Shinzo Abe inspect a model of the high-speed bullet train from Mumbai to Ahmedabad
Defence ties likely to be boosted:
The annual Indo-Japan summit is taking place amid escalating tension in the region following the nuclear test by North Korea and China's combative posturing in the resource- rich South China Sea, and Modi and Abe are expected to deliberate on them.
The two prime ministers may also explore ways to further deepen ties between the navies of the two countries to check China's heightened activities in the Indian Ocean.
Increased nuclear cooperation:
Modi and Abe are expected to deliberate on cooperation in the nuclear energy sector as well. A landmark civil nuclear deal between the two countries providing for collaboration between their industries in the field had come into force in July.
The nuclear cooperation agreement was signed last November during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Tokyo. The deal allows Japan to export nuclear technology to India, making it the first non-NPT signatory to have such a deal with Tokyo There was political resistance in Japan - the only country to suffer atomic bombings during the World War II - against a nuclear deal with India, particularly after the disaster at the Fukushima nuclear power plant in 2011.
Take a look at the full schedule of his visit:
0950 hrs: Ground Breaking Ceremony of High Speed Rail at Athletic Stadium, Near Sabarmati Railway Station
1130 hrs: Visit to Dandi Kutir
1200 hrs: Handshake Photo Opportunity at Mahatma Mandir
1205 hrs: Delegation level talks
1300 hrs: Exchange of agreements and Press statements at Mahatma Mandir
1430 hrs: Group photo with members of India-Japan Business Leaders Forum at Mahatma Mandir
1545 hrs: Visit to Exhibition Booths at Mahatma Mandir convention hall
1600 hrs: India-Japan Business Plenary at Main Convention Hall, Mahatma Mandir
2135 hrs: Japan PM emplanes for Tokyo
