BJP hopes PM Modi's Japan visit will boost economy, bilateral ties

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders said here on Saturday that they were looking forward to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Japan, as a way to not only enhance the nation's economy, but also to boost cordial relations between the two countries.

"Japan and India are two of the biggest democracies of Asia and two of the biggest economic powers of Asia and surely the kind of relation that PM Modi is trying to maintain with Japan will not only help the economy of this country but will also see to it that India and Japan move ahead together in a cordial atmosphere in Asia," said BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra.

"PM's visit to Japan is being keenly looked forward to by both countries, and we are very hopeful that it will be termed as a historic visit," added another BJP leader Nalin Kohli.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi left for his five-day bilateral visit to Japan early on Saturday, accompanied by a high level delegation, including National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh.

Embarking on his first bilateral visit outside India's immediate neighbourhood, Prime Minister Modi said in his departure statement that his visit to Japan "underlines the high priority that Japan receives in our foreign and economic policies".

PM Modi also said that this visit is a reflection of Japan's paramount importance in his vision for development and prosperity in India and in peace, stability and prosperity in Asia at large.

The PM will first visit Japan's old capital Kyoto, where he will be joined by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

From there, he will proceed to Tokyo, to discuss the roadmap for Indo-Japan global and strategic partnership in the years ahead with his Japanese counterpart.