PM in Japan: Modi enjoys bullet train ride, addresses business comminity to 'fast-track' business ties

Prime Minister Narendra Modi called on Saturday for greater participation and engagement of Japanese industries, saying it will benefit Japan and India's Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector for which it could prove "transformational". 

Addressing a luncheon gathering of business leaders in Kobe, Modi recalled his association with Hyogo Prefecture and his visits to Kobe, a city on Osaka Bay in Japan, in 2007 and 2012. 

Modi, who travelled to Kobe from Tokyo in Japan's famed high-speed Shinkansen bullet train along with his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe, was received at Hyogo prefecture guest house. The governor of Hyogo Toshizo Ido and mayor of Kobe Kyuzo Hisamaoto were present at Hyogo house.

Watch: PM Modi enjoys Shinkansen bullet ride in Japan with Shinzo Abe

Simply Shinkansen! Scenes from inside the famed Japanese bullet train, with the two leaders deep in conversation pic.twitter.com/D9gQz73XJ4

— Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) November 12, 2016

An agreement has been signed between the state of Gujarat and Hyogo Prefectural Government to promote cooperation between them in the fields of academics, business, culture, disaster management and environmental protection.

"A stronger web of state and provincial connections. The leaders witness exchange of MoU of Coopn between Gujarat Govt and Hyogo Prefecture," external affairs ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted.

Thanking Governor Ido for valuable efforts two develop relations with Gujarat, Modi said ties between the two sides is characterised by complete trust and mutual confidence. "Greater participation and engagement of industries in Hyogo will benefit Japan and India's MSME sector for which it could prove transformational," Modi said.

Read: India, Japan sign 10 pacts including areas like space, agriculture, infrastructure, railways

The Prime Minister said the Indian community in Kobe has a long history of trade and commerce. "I congratulate all residents of Kobe on forthcoming 150 years of its port," he said.

Earlier in the day, Modi also visited Kawasaki Heavy Industries plant with Shinzo Abe to get first hand information on bullet train technology.

#WATCH PM Narendra Modi arrives at the Kawasaki Heavy Industries with Japanese PM Shinzo Abe to get first hand info on bullet trains pic.twitter.com/Jn58n9d0WC

— ANI (@ANI_news) November 12, 2016

PM @narendramodi :We are waiting for this train in India. pic.twitter.com/EZnJJXp7B7

— Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) November 12, 2016