India and Japan signs MoU to make Varanasi a smart city

An MoU was signed between India and Japan here today to develop Varanasi into a 'smart city'.

The MoU was signed by India's Ambassador to Japan Deepa Wadhwa and the Mayor of Kyoto Daisaka Kadokawa in presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe.

Varanasi is the constituency of Narendra Modi which will be transformed into a smart city using the experience of Kyoto, the 'smart city' of Japan.

External Affairs Ministry spokesman Syed Akbarrudin said, "It is a cooperative agreement which will ensure that they can work together in terms of their cultural heritage, city modernization, culture, art and education".

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a five day bilateral visit to Japan starting today.

Modi had earlier in his departure statement stated that his visit was 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.

He also called Japan "one of our closest partners in political, economic, security and cultural realms and a key regional and global partner".

The Prime Minister termed his visit to Kyoto as one that reflected the ancient foundations of India and Japan's contemporary relations and will also focus on some of India's priorities, including urban renewal and smart heritage cities as well as advanced scientific research.

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From Kyoto, PM Modi will proceed to Tokyo, where he would discuss the roadmap for India and Japan's global and strategic partnership in the years ahead with his Japanese counterpart.