Modi pitches for high-speed growth, Abe lauds ‘Modi bullet train’

Pitching the India story at the India-Japan Business Leaders Forum, Prime Minister Narendra Modi underlined that he wanted India and Japan to move ahead together, not just in the sphere of high-speed trains, but also for “high-speed growth.” The forum was held on December 12 in New Delhi with Mr Modi and Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe addressing business leaders of both countries.

Addressing the forum, Mr Modi recalled his visit to Japan in 2014 and the commitment of USD 35 billion made by Japan. Noting that the figure had surprised many at that point of time, Mr Modi said, “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.”

Highlighting the flagship initiative of his government, the ‘Make in India’ programme, Mr Modi said the initiative “is proceeding in mission mode, not just in India, but also in Japan.” He also added that the “Japan Plus” initiative that began last year as a policy experiment, is also doing well.

Praising Mr Modi’s initiatives, Mr Abe said, “PM Modi’s economic policies are like Shinkansen-High speed, safe and reliable and carrying many people along.” “A strong India is good for Japan and a strong Japan is good for India,” said the Japanese leader, who has forged a personal chemistry with Mr Modi.

Mentioning that the recent economic indicators in India and Japan were encouraging, especially in the backdrop of a global economic slowdown, Mr Modi portrayed India as “a land of possibilities.” Emphasising that Japan had been a part of many key economic turning points in India and acknowledging its contribution to India, Mr Modi gave the examples of the Maruti car and the DFC (Dedicated Freight Corridor).

India and Japan have signed a formal pact on the Bullet Train Corridor between Ahmadabad and Mumbai. Japan has won the contract to make India’s first bullet train.

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