Narendra Modi in Japan: PM likely to focus on defence, regional security in talks with Shinzo Abe

Tokyo: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said his meeting with Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe will add new vigour to the strong friendship between the two countries as he arrived here to attend the 13th India-Japan annual summit.The two-day summit beginning Sunday will seek to review the progress in ties and deepen strategic dimension of the bilateral relationship.External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted:Modi said in a tweet: In a statement on Friday, before leaving for Japan, Modi described India and Japan as a "winning combination" and said the island nation was New Delhi's most trusted partner in its economic and technological modernisation.Modi said it will be his 12th meeting with Abe since he first visited Japan as prime minister in September 2014.During the summit, Modi will engage with Abe on a range of issues including defence and regional security.Abe will host Modi at his holiday home in the picturesque Yamanashi prefecture for a private dinner on Sunday following which both the leaders will travel to Tokyo by train. Yamanashi, at a distance of around 110 kilometres from Tokyo, is surrounded by several mountains including Mount Fuji - the country's tallest peak at around 3,776 metres.On Sunday afternoon, Prime Minister Modi will join his Japanese counterpart for an informal lunch at a hotel. The two leaders will then visit a company which is a leading manufacturer of factory automation.Besides bilateral issues, the two leaders are expected to deliberate on a range of regional and global issues including the situation in the Indo-Pacific region.It is said the prime minister's visit will reaffirm the traditional bonds of friendship between the two countries and strengthen their multi-faceted cooperation in diverse fields. India is also hoping to have some kind of synergy or integration between Modi's Ayushmaan Bharat scheme, which is the largest medicare programme of its kind globally, and the Japanese programme which is called Asia Health and Wellbeing Initiative.The prime minister in his statement said projects such as Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail and Dedicated Freight Corridors reflected the high level and "strength of our economic engagement"."Japan is also at the forefront of engaging in our national initiatives, such as 'Make in India', 'Skill India', 'Digital India', 'Start Up India'... Japanese investors have faith in India's economic future, which is marked with myriad opportunities," Modi said.Modi will also address the Indian community function in Tokyo and will attend a series of business events and address the business forum.