ASEAN summit: PM Modi, Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe review progress in civil nuclear cooperation

Vientiane: India and Japan on Wednesday pledged to strengthen ties in key areas of counter-terrorism, civil nuclear cooperation, trade and investment, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Abe Shinzo reviewing progress in the relationship between the two countries.

The PM tweeted after the meeting saying, "Extensive discussions with PM Abe Shinzo on the various ways to make India-Japan ties stronger and more diverse."

Extensive discussions with PM @AbeShinzo on the various ways to make India-Japan ties stronger & more diverse. pic.twitter.com/QLHWaiwngb — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 7, 2016

Abe said Japan was not going to succumb to terrorism and wanted to further strengthen cooperation with India in the area of counter-terrorism. 

The two leaders discussed further strengthening and diversification of trade and investment ties.

PM Modi noted that Japan had technology and innovation while India had the power of youth and a huge market, External affairs Ministry Spokesman Vikas Swarup said.

The India-Japan partnership could, therefore, produce global products and be a win-win partnership for both, PM Modi said in his meeting with Abe, as per PTI.

They also reviewed the progress in the India-Japan Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement negotiations and the high-speed rail project, Swarup said.

At the same time, PM Modi expressed appreciation for the consistent support rendered by Japan in India's infrastructure development, technology upgradation and skill building.

Abe said he was looking forward to PM Modi's visit to Japan for the annual summit and expressed the hope that it would promote a new era of bilateral cooperation.

Abe recalled that 2017 would mark the 60th Anniversary of the Japan-India Cultural Agreement and hoped to see more Indian tourists visiting Japan, as per IANS. 

Swarup earlier quoted PM Modi as saying that his first meeting was with "a special friend and a valued partner".

"Furthering the relationship with greatest potential, first bilateral is with special friend and valued partner, PM Abe Shinzo," Swarup tweeted.

Furthering the relationship with greatest potential
1st bilateral is w/special friend &valued partner,PM @AbeShinzo pic.twitter.com/c2ackG3YMB — Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) September 7, 2016

(With Agency inputs)