Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official visit to Japan, a key Asian investment and strategic partner for India, will now take place between August 31 and September 3 this year. The visit, which was previously scheduled for end-July, had then been delayed because of the Budget session in the Parliament and the BRICS summit in Brazil.
Modi will meet the Emperor of Japan, Akihitio, besides Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe during his visit. Modi is particularly close to Abe ? he is one of the three followers on Abe’s personal Twitter handle, and has preciously visited Japan in 2012 during his tenure as the Gujarat CM to seek investments.
?During his (PM Modi’s) stay in Japan, the Prime Minister will be received in audience by His Majesty the Emperor of Japan. Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, will also hold a meeting and
host a dinner for the Prime Minister. The Government of Japan sincerely welcomes the visit of the Prime Minister, which will further strengthen the friendly relations between Japan and India,? a statement from the Japanese Embassy said.
Key issues believed to be on the agenda for discussion include the civil nuclear deal, which may get inked during this visit. Widening the partnership in terms of defence and electronics manufacturing will also likely be discussed, while speeding up Japanese bilateral support towards Indian infrastructure development will also be on the agenda. Meanwhile, India will seek increased play for domestic pharmaceutical, IT industries and easier entry of professionals like lawyers and doctors.
