Make in India

Japan’s new and aggressive investment plans in India will not be limited to mega infrastructure projects such as bullet trains and will cover almost the full spectrum of prominent government schemes such as “Make in India” and Swachh Bharat. Expressing his government’s desire to invest in key sectors, Prime Minister Shinzo “Japan has decades of experience of doing business with India. It is this experience which will help us in India.” Mr. Abe delivered a brief speech at the Japan-India Innovation Seminar two hours after landing at the Indira Gandhi International Airport on Friday. The seminar was attended by Hiroaki Nakanishi, CEO of Hitachi Ltd, Kaoru Yano, Chairman of the Board, NEC Corporation among several other top level officials and corporate heads who are also in town along with Mr Abe. Soon after his arrival Mr. Abe held a meeting with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on the agenda for Saturday’s summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Mr. Abe will hold the summit meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, when key announcements on the bullet train, defence ties will be made. The broader regional issues will be discussed at the meeting. The bullet train project between Mumbai and Ahmedabad and will be a showpiece of India-Japan collaboration. Japan has offered to finance 80 per cent of the cost of the project interest rate of less than 1 per cent. But the high point of Modi-Abe summit of Saturday will be expression of Japan’s support to India’s growing presence in the Asia-Pacific region.

Nuclear cooperation

Following his summit meeting, Prime Minister Abe is expected to announce steps that will help in realising India-Japan civil nuclear cooperation. Japanese sources also told The Hindu that major defence cooperation agreements are expected during the visit to boost India’s defence production sector following the Make in India programme.