India and Japan have inked a number of pacts in key areas of transportation, defence and nuclear energy. India’s first bullet train network will come up between Mumbai and Ahmedabad at a cost of Rs 98,000 crore. The strategic pacts were inked after the summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe during which they also discussed international and regional issues of mutual importance including UN security reforms.

Tranportation

As for the high-speed rail network, it will be built on the Shikansen model known for its reliability and safety. PM Modi noted that Abe’s extraordinary package of approximately $12 billion and technical assistance, on very easy terms, for this project was greatly appreciated. Bullet train between the two cities will cut travel time on the 505 kilometre route from eight hours to around three.

Defence

The two sides also inked agreements – one concerning the Transfer of Defence Equipment and Technology and another related to Security Measures for Protection of Classified Military Information.

Nuclear Energy

India also signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Japan on peaceful use of civil nuclear energy and announced that the deal was not just about commerce and clean energy but also a sign of mutual confidence and partnership for a secure world.

In the hope of attracting investments as well as greater number of tourists from Japan, PM Modi announced that ‘visa on arrival’ will be extended to all Japanese citizens from March 1, 2016.  The two leaders also issued a joint statement on ‘India and Japan Vision 2025: Special Strategic and Global Partnership Working Together for Peace and Prosperity of the Indo-Pacific Region and the World’.

PM Abe is on a three-day visit to India during the course of which he will also be travelling to Varanasi, the parliamentary constituency of PM Modi, and take part in the aarti on the banks of River Ganges.