PM Modi departs for Japan for annual summit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday left for a two-day visit to Japan for the 13th India-Japan Annual Summit. He will arrive in the East Asian country in the evening.

Before leaving for Japan, the Prime Minister, in his departure statement said that India's ties with Japan, both economic and strategic, stood completely transformed in recent years.

Prime Minister Modi also touted Japan as 'one of the most trusted partners' in India's economic and technological modernisations. He said, "Our complementarities make India and Japan a winning combination. Japan today is one of the top investors in India. Projects like Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail and Dedicated Freight Corridors reflect the high level and strength of our economic engagement. Japan is also at the forefront of engaging in our national initiatives, such as 'Make in India', 'Skill India', 'Digital India', 'Startup India', etc."

Prime Minister Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe, are expected to hold wide-ranging talks in strengthening collaboration in key areas such as Defence, security, Indo-Pacific cooperation and technology during the annual summit slated to be held on October 28 and 29.

Prime Minister Modi will visit Yamanashi Prefecture on October 28, located in the foothills of Mount Fuji and an informal lunch will be held in the honour of the Prime Minister by Abe at a hotel situated with Mount Fuji in the backdrop.

After lunch, the two leaders will take a stroll around the hotel, after which they will visit a leading manufacturing company of factory automation system in the prefecture.

Abe will take the Prime Minister to his personal home in Yamanashi for a private dinner. This will be the first time a foreign leader will be visiting Abe's second home. The two leaders will return to Tokyo by train.

In Tokyo, Prime Minister Modi will address members of the Indian community on October 29 before commencing his official engagements. The Prime Minister will meet several Japanese business leaders and address the India-Japan business forum.

After that, delegation-level talks will be held, which will be followed by exchange of documents and press statements before an official banquet will be held for the Indian delegation by Abe. Prime Minister Modi will then leave for India in the evening.