PM Modi arrives home after five-day Japan visit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday afternoon after a successful five-day visit to Japan, during which he held talks with his counterpart Shinzo Abe, and met all sections of Japanese society, including politicians, businessmen, students, researchers, priests and the Indian community.

He was received at the airport by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. The two leaders exchanged pleasantries after Sushma Swaraj presented him with a bouquet of flowers.

During his visit. Japan significantly promised to give USD 35 billion to India over the next five years for developmental projects.

Both countries also decided to enhance cooperation in defence and other strategic areas and also signed five pacts covering defence exchanges, cooperation in clean energy, roads and highways, healthcare and women while vowing to take their relationship to newer level.

A day before concluding his visit, Prime Minister Modi met Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's oldest living associate, 99-year-old Saichiro Misumi.

Prime Minister Modi's bilateral visit also led to the signing of the Kyoto-Varanasi Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Japan on Saturday, which will see Varanasi develop into a 'smart city'.

Prime Minister Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe also issued a joint statement after a meeting, where they pledged the boosting of the cooperation of India and Japan in railways, civil aviation, energy, maritime affairs, science and technology and women's empowerment, among other areas.

Prime Minister Modi also inaugurated the Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) Japan Technology and Culture Academy yesterday.