India, Japan to enhance cooperation in regional connectivity

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe agreed to enhance the cooperation of their countries in regional connectivity during their talks here on Monday.

In a joint statement issued by both countries, India and Japan both welcomed the study by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) on regional connectivity between North-East India and the neighboring countries, and instructed respective related authorities to proceed to realizing Japan's Official Development Assistance (ODA) in transport infrastructure projects in the region. Both sides also welcomed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Export-Import Bank of India and the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) for enhancing infrastructure development collaboration between India and neighboring countries and promoting cross border business activities.

Further, both sides decided to strengthen cooperation in the field of connectivity and socio-economic development in Northeast India. Japan announced a survey by JICA to identify possible cooperation including road connectivity projects in Northeast states of India. The Indian side appreciated assistance by Japan to Northeast India, including a number of projects in the field of forest resource management as well as those currently under feasibility studies by JICA such as a potential yen loan project for water supply improvement in Imphal.

India also welcomed Japan's hosting the Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in Sendai in March 2015. Both sides affirmed active participation in and close cooperation for the conference in order to adopt the succeeding framework of the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015.

Prime Minister Modi, who is also scheduled to meet Emperor Akihito, is presently on a three-day visit to Japan that will conclude on September 3.