Modi arrives in Japan to herald a new era of partnership

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Japan this morning on his first official foreign visit, which is billed to open new bilateral vistas and take the Strategic and Global Partnership to a higher level

This is his first bilateral visit outside India's immediate neighbourhood as Prime Minister of India, which underlines the high priority that Japan receives in India's 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 said on the eve of his departure.

''Japan is one of our closest partners in political, economic, security and cultural realms. It is a key regional and global partner for us. Between our countries, there is only goodwill and mutual admiration. Buddhism from India has inspired Japan for over a millennium. We in India similarly draw inspiration from Japan's vanguard role as the fountainhead of Asia's modernisation, resurgence and rejuvenation. The people in India are grateful for the seminal contribution made by Japan's generous ODA over the years to India's economic, social and infrastructure development'', he said.

Modi, who is on a three-day visit to Japan at the invitation of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, for the annual summit between India and Japan, said he proposed ''to celebrate the links of history and the experiences of our peoples, and impart new meaning to them.''

He saw the possibility of a new era of cooperation with Japan in high-end defence technology and equipment and noted that progress has been made in parleys on civil nuclear agreement and amphibious aircraft deal between the two countries.

''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,'' Modi said on the eve of his departure to Tokyo.

''I will try to accelerate progress on the unfinished agenda of projects and initiatives that our two countries have embarked upon,'' he added.

The meeting is particularly significant at a time of enormous global challenges, from persisting economic weaknesses to turmoil and transitions in different parts of the world. Modi will exchange views with his japanese counterpart Abe on important regional and global developments of shared interest.

''I look forward to an audience with his majesty the Emperor of Japan, who graced the people of India with a most memorable visit to our country last year. I will have an opportunity to interact with leaders across the entire political spectrum in Japan, regional leaders, captains of business and industry, friends of India in Japan as well as Indian brothers and sisters living and working in Japan,'' he said.

''In the field of defence and security, I feel time has come for us to upgrade our relations. I see in the recent changes in Japan's defence export policies and regulations a possibility to engage in a new era of cooperation in high-end defence technology and equipment.''

''There has been significant progress in our negotiations on the civil nuclear agreement; on the US-2 amphibian aircraft; and in the field of high speed railway. It is my hope that my visit this time will pave the way for concrete cooperation on these fields,'' he said while interacting with the Japanese media.

India is planning to sign a deal with Japan for procuring US-2 amphibious seaplanes for guarding its island territories, which Japan wants to co-produce it in India.

Expressing happiness at Japan's participation in the Indo-US Malabar naval exercise, the prime minister said, ''We have a shared interest in working together with Japan and with other countries, to foster peace and stability in Asia and beyond. We are committed to strengthen defence exchanges and cooperation between Japan and India.''

''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,'' Modi said on the eve of his departure to Tokyo.

''I will try to accelerate progress on the unfinished agenda of projects and initiatives that our two countries have embarked upon,'' he added.

The meeting is particularly significant at a time of enormous global challenges, from persisting economic weaknesses to turmoil and transitions in different parts of the world. Modi will exchange views with his Japanese counterpart Abe on important regional and global developments of shared interest.

''I look forward to an audience with His Majesty the Emperor of Japan, who graced the people of India with a most memorable visit to our country last year. I will have an opportunity to interact with leaders across the entire political spectrum in Japan, regional leaders, captains of business and industry, friends of India in Japan as well as Indian brothers and sisters living and working in Japan,'' he said.

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.