Japan’s PM Departs for India to Promote Technology, Strengthen Cooperation

Shinzo Abe started his visit to India to promote Japan’s technologies in particular high-speed trains, also known as bullet trains.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe started his visit to India on Friday to promote Japan’s technologies, in particular the Shinkansen high-speed trains, a RIA Novosti correspondent reported.

"[During the visit] we want to reach a result that would become a breakthrough for the development of Japan-India relations in such areas as high-speed railways and security guarantee cooperation," Abe told reporters ahead of his departure.

Abe will hold talks with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Saturday before returning back to Tokyo the following day.

Japan’s Shinkansen high-speed trains, also known as bullet trains, will operate on the proposed 500-kilometer (310.68 miles) railway linking the cities of Mumbai and Ahmedabad in western India.

The project’s construction is due to start in 2017, with the goal of beginning railway operations in 2023.

Another important topic of the negotiations between Abe and Modi will be the cooperation in the defense area, especially since Japan wants to take part in joint military exercises of India and the United States in the Indian Ocean.