PM Narendra Modi leaves for home after successful Japan visit

After concluding his successful visit from Japan, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi left for India on Wednesday.

Japanese PM Abe went out of his way to personally receive Modi who arrived in Kyoto on August 30. A pact was signed there under which Varanasi would be developed as a ‘smart city’ on the lines of Kyoto with the help of Japan.

The visit has been successful with improving bilateral relations between the two countries. Indian PM Modi and Japanese PM Shinzo Abe agreed on improving their cooperation in defence and strategic areas. About five pacts were signed in areas including defence exchanges, cooperation in roads and highways, clean energy, healthcare and women.

Since becoming PM in May, this was Modi’s first visit outside the subcontinent. During the five-day visit, Modi invited investments from Japan saying India is a conducive destination for the manufacturing sector with a ‘red carpet’ and not ‘red tape.

Japan meanwhile lifted ban on six Indian entities that have been restricted in the aftermath of 1998 nuclear tests. Tokyo will also help India in by providing technical and operational support to introduce Bullet trains in India. Modi expressed gratitude to Japan for trusting in India and demonstrating their friendship with a quip saying that this bond is stronger than that of fevicol.

Addressing the Indian community reception hosted in Japan Modi said that the visit has been very successful as there have been talk about billions and millions but never about trillions, referring to 3.5 trillion Yen (Rs 2,10,000 crore) promised through public and private funding by Japan to India over the next five years for building of smart cities and cleanup of the Ganga river.

Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and the Prime Minister of Japan, Mr. Shinzo Abe visiting the Toji temple, in Kyoto, Japan on August 31, 2014.