Tokyo : Japan has pledged to invest 33.5 billion dollars over the next five years in India to finance infrastructure projects and building of smart cities. Japan will also supply financial, technical and operational support to introduce bullet trains in India, a pet project of PM Narendra Modi.

Following are the highlights of a joint address by PM Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe:

Shinzo Abe:

Modi is an old friend. Was waiting eagerly to meet him
Our bilateral relationship has the most potential in the world
Want to elevate relationship to special global strategic partners
Together with PM Modi, intend to elevate the relationship into a special strategic and global partnership
Further cooperate on symbolic projects such as the introduction of Bullet Trains in India
Important progress over nuclear cooperation in the last few months. I was able to have frank discussions with PM Modi on this issue and deepen understanding on both sides

Narendra Modi:

It is my good fortune that PM Abe gave me this opportunity to visit Japan within 100 days of my becoming PM

In our foreign policy, we have a special priority for Japan
PM Abe’s invitation to me is proves how strong India and Japan’s friendship is
The way he has greeted us and given us his valuable time in Kyoto and Tokyo, I thank him for that
I not only satisfied with my talks but I have new hope about India-Japan ties
Will not repeat what PM Abe already said but I’ll say a few words about how I view the summit meeting (shikhar sammelan)
The most important thing is that we have decided on a special strategic and global partnership
The spiritual partnership between the two countries is not bound by time – but in the sphere of governments – today we stand in front of you with a special strategic and global partnership
These aren’t just words – we’re very serious about this
Japan will play a more important role in India’s growth and development in days to come
PM Abe committed to investing 33 Billion US dollars and I welcome that
This investment isn’t limited to specific sectors. Understanding my vision, PM Abe has agreed to cooperate in every sector
When I was talking about Ganga purification, he immediately said, “you decide how we can help”
We want to take our cooperation to a new level, to new heights
We have also decided to give a direction to our defence ties — improve cooperation in technology and defence equipment
Japan’s assistance will be profitable for both the countries
A developed India and successful India is beneficial for both countries
Will work together in areas like advanced technology, education, for the benefit of both the countries
India and Japan are Asia’s most important democracies and amongst its three largest economies
The whole world is convinced that the 21st century is Asia’s century… but how this will take shape will depend on how India and Japan move forward together and the strategies we adopt
On many issues like non-proliferation, space security, cyber security and UN reforms, we can work together
There are no limits to our cooperation and neither is there a shortage of intent on both sides
When we call this ‘special’ strategic partnership, it means the importance of the relationship has increased for both countries and it will be accorded primacy in the foreign policy of both countries