Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe arrived in Ahmedabad for a two-day visit as both countries aim to further shore up economic and strategic ties between their nations. Abe and his wife Akie were received by Modi at Ahmedabad airport. Shortly after their arrival, they changed into Indian clothes, and joined the Indian leader for a rare cultural roadshow through Ahmedabad to Sabarmati Ashram.
Abe and Modi laid the foundation stone of the ambitious Rs 1.08 Lakh Crore Ahmedabad-Mumbai high-speed rail project. The 508 km high-speed rail link to Mumbai is seen as a centrepiece of PM Modi's efforts to demonstrate India's capability to build high-tech projects. Expected to be commissioned by 2022, the project will have 12 halts. Approximately 21 km-long tunnel will be dug between Boisar and BKC in Mumbai, seven km of which will be under the sea.
Abe said Japan is committed to the scheme of 'Make in India'. “I really like Gujarat and I really like India. I will do whatever I can for India,” he said. Modi thanked his speech by thanking Abe for taking special interest in the project. He praised the nature of Indo-Japan relationship for withstanding the test of time. His speech also highlighted aspects of ancient civilisation and how Japan through its sustained efforts has emerged as one of the leading nations in the world.
“Ek prakar se muft mein hai (In a way it is free),” Modi said. “In Shinzo Abe, India has found a friend no bank in the world could match. It is my wish that when India celebrates 75 years of independence in 2022-23, Abe and I together travel in this train.”
“Considering the time it takes to reach the airport and then take a flight and ultimately reach the destination in the city, the bullet train will take half the time for people to reach. Think of the time saved, the ‘thousands’ of vehicles that may go off road between Mumbai and Ahmedabad,” Modi said.
