Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe Abe today laid the foundation stone for the proposed bullet train network connecting Ahmedabad to Mumbai. The foundation stone laying ceremony of the much-touted Ahmedabad-Mumbai High Speed Rail Network took place at Sabarmati Athletic Grounds near Sabarmati railway station.
The bullet train, which has a capacity to accommodate 750 people, is expected to reduce travel time between the two cities from seven to three hours. Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Railway Ministry have inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the 508-km corridor, with Japan to partially fund the Rs 1.10 lakh crore project.
The train project, which is expected to begin its operation by the year 2022, will have a dozen halts. A 21-km-long tunnel will be dug between Boisar and BKC in Mumbai, seven km of which will be under sea. The entire line will be at an elevation of around 20 m which will reduce land acquisition.
Shinzo Abe India visit Day 2 headlights:
05:24 pm: With strength of our friendship & trust, I invite more & more Japanese people & companies to come, live and work in India
05:23 pm: I have been saying that 21st Century is Asia’s Century. Today, Asia has emerged as the new centre of global growth, says PM Modi
05:22 pm: Japan can benefit tremendously with size and scale of our potential and skilled hands that India offers: PM Modi on India-Japan business relations
05:17 pm: It will be garland of love of Japan for Varanasi & tribute to our shared Buddhist heritage: PM Modi on project of Varanasi Convention Centre
05:14 pm: Project of Varanasi Convention Centre is a symbol of cultural co-operation between Kyoto city of Japan and Varanasi: PM Narednra Modi
05:11 pm: 4 locations finalized for development of Japanese Industrial Townships - in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh& Tamil Nadu: PM Narendra Modi
05:08 pm: Gujarat’s Industry and Government still cherish the fact that Japan became 1st partner country in Vibrant Gujarat event: PM Narendra Modi
05:01 pm:
04:07 pm:
04:05 pm:
03:44 pm:
03:36 pm: Rohingya issue did not come up for any specific discussion, it came only as a passing mention: S Jaishankar
03:27 pm: Agreed on Japan-India Act East Forum. It'll explore possibilities of including Japan in North East infrastructure development: S Jaishankar
03:11 pm: Aim to elevate strategic partnership.Trying to align each other's approach towards world:S Jaishankar, Foreign Secy on India-Japan relations
02:34 pm: PM Modi and PM Abe look forward to convening 5th Japan-India consultation on terrorism and to strengthen cooperation against terrorists threats from groups incuding Al-Qaida, ISIS, JeM, LeT and their affiliates
02:33 pm: PM Modi and PM Abe called for Pakistan to bring to justice perpetrators of terror attacks including 2008 Mumbai & 2016 Pathankot attacks
02:33 pm: PM Abe reiterated strong support to initiatives like Make In India, Digital India etc; also appreciated PM Modi's economic reforms esp GST: ANI
02:32 pm: PM Modi and PM Abe condemned in the strongest terms North Korea's continued development of its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs, reports ANI
02:31 pm: India and Japan signed MoU DBT and National Institute of Advanced Science and Technology, MoU on promotion of cooperation in research related activities: ANI
02:02 pm: India, Japan and the US conducted joint maritime exercise Malabar for the first time, based on strong ties of trust between PM Modi and President Trump. It will further deepen cooperation between India, Japan and the US: PM Shinzo Abe
02:00 pm: We appreciate the warm welcome and hospitality extended to us. Dhanyawaad: Japanese PM Shinzo Abe
01:50 pm: Indo-Japan ties not limited to bilateral or regional spheres, we also have close cooperation on key global issues: PM Modi
01:48 pm: India Post & Japan Post to start a 'cool box service' for Japanese living in India so that they can order their favorite food from Japan: PM
01:46 pm: I heartily welcome the agreements signed today, they will strengthen India-Japan partnership: PM Modi
01:45 pm: Be it the ease of doing business, Skill India or Make in India; India is transforming: PM Modi
01:43 pm: India received investments of $4.7 billion from Japan in 2016-17, 80 per cent higher than last year: PM Modi
01:38 pm: Konnichiwa, good afternoon; I welcome PM Shinzo Abe: PM Modi begins his press statement
01:33 pm: PM Narendra Modi and PM Shinzo Abe review entire spectrum of bilateral cooperation: MEA
11:55 am: PM Narendra Modi and Japanese PM Shinzo Abe visit Dandi Kutir in Gandhinagar
11:03 am: PM Modi concludes his address
11:00 am: Through this foundation, I once again thank and congratulate India and Japan: PM Modi
10:59 am: I stand obliged to Japanese PM Shinzo Abe for coming to India and laying this foundation for Bullet Train: PM Modi
10:58 am: We are celebrating 70 years of independence, my dream is that when India completes 75 years of independence in 2022, we travel in high-speed rail: PM Modi
10:55 am: Be it Railway, Highway, Waterway or Airway, we are developing with unexpected pace: PM Modi
10:53 am: GST has provided seamless transport that saves time in transportation: PM Modi
10:52 am: We are focusing on infrastructure, we are constructing more roads than ever before: PM Modi
10:49 am: We are getting the technology from Japan but most of the resources will be procured from here in India. This will boost 'Make In India' and will provide direct and indirect employment to many: PM Modi
10: 48 am: New technology should work for the empowerment of poor and weaker section: PM Modi
10:47 am: We have a friend who has given is Rs 88,000 crore loan on 0.1 per cent interest: PM Modi
10:47am: Would you believe if someone promises you to give loan without interest and asks us to pay in 50 years: PM Modi
10:46 am: We are lucky to have a friend which has given us Rs 88,000 crore loan on near zero interest for 50 years: PM Modi
10:45 am: A country's development depends on its productivity. We are focusing on more Productivity with High Speed Connectivity: PM Modi
10:44 am: Now the development is coming with such speed that we are focusing on high speed: PM Modi
10:43 am: Earlier development was where the rivers were, then development cam,e along the highways. Now the next generation growth will be where the high speed corridors are: PM Modi
10: 42 am: Bullet train will bring facility along with security. This is human friendly and eco friendly: PM Modi
10:41 am: Today India has taken a step to fulfill years-long dream: PM
10:38 am: The credit for quick rollout of this project goes to Shinzo Abe
10:37 am: This is New India and its willpower is unlimited: PM Modi
10:36 am: Bullet train is a project which will bring fast results with high speed, fast development and fast technology: PM Modi
10:33 am: I thank the people of Gujarat for showing unprecedented love they have shown in welcoming my close friend Japanese PM Shinzo Abe
10:32 am: I again welcome my close friend to India, especially in Gujarat: PM Modi
10:31 am: PM Modi begins his address
10:30 am: PM Shinzo Abe concludes his address with "Dhanyawad"
10:30 am: I hope to enjoy the beauty of India through the windows of the Bullet Train when I come to India in a few years: PM Shinzo Abe
10:28 am: I would like to state that India-Japan partnership is special, strategic and global: PM Shinzo Abe
10: 27 am: If we work together nothing is impossible: Japanese PM Shinzo Abe on India-Japan partnership
10:26 am: With India's human resources and Japan's technology, India can become a hub of manufacturing. Our industries are working with India to give a boost to manufacturing in India: Shinzo Abe
10:25 am: Japan is committed to the scheme of 'Make in India': Shinzo Abe
10:25 am: A powerful Japan works in interest of India, says Shinzo Abe
10:24 am: With bullet train project, a new chapter begins for India
10:23 am: Dear friend PM Modi is a far sighted leader, he made a decision of making New India and chose Japan as partner, we completely support it: PM Abe
10:19 am: Japanese PM Shinzo Abe starts his address with "Namaskar"
10:17 am: India's first high speed rail project inaugurated by PM Modi & Japanese PM Shinzo Abe in Ahmedabad
10:15 am: PM Modi, Shinzo Abe lay founation stone for High-speed rail training centre in Vadodara
10:04 am: Bullet train will provide jobs to many in Gujarat and Maharashtra and will help immensly in the GDP of both states: Devendra Fadnavis
10:01 am: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis speaks, says the day is historic in India. "The foundation stone for Bullet train is the foundation of New India"
10:00 am: This partnership between India and Japan will go a long way, just like the partnership between Maruti and Suzuki revolutionised auto industry in India: Piyush Goel
09:59 am: This Bullet Train will be a symbol of brotherhood b/w people of India and Japan: Railway Minister Piyush Goel
09:50 am: Railways Minister Piyush Goyal, Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also present
09:49 am: Japanese PM Shinzo Abe arrives at Sabarmati Athletic Grounds
09:43 am: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at Sabarmati Athletic Grounds for foundation stone laying ceremony of bullet train, PM Shinzo Abe to arrive shortly
08:17 am: A model bullet train has been put at the venue for public viewing
08:15 am: Behind the tent is the prayer venue where "Bhumi Pujan" will take place
08:14 am: A huge tent has been erected on the ceremony venue where the leaders will be seated
08:13 am: M Modi, Shinzo Abe will arrive at the venue at 9:50 am
After the laying of the foundation stone, the two leaders will hold the 12th Indo-Japan annual Summit meeting at Gandhinagar after which agreements will be exchanged. Later, an India-Japan business plenary meeting will be held. Fifteen agreements will be signed for investments in Gujarat during the visit of the Japanese prime minister, Gujarat chief secretary J N Singh had said yesterday.
Official sources pointed to the possibility of the two sides discussing the long-pending Indian proposal to buy the US-2 amphibious aircraft from Japan and joint development of military equipment to further deepen the defence ties in sync with strategic partnership between the two countries at the plenary meet.
All about Shinzo Abe's India Visit Day 1
The annual Indo-Japan summit is taking place amid escalating tension in the region following the nuclear test by North Korea and China's combative posturing in the resource-rich South China Sea, and Modi and Abe could deliberate on them.
The two prime ministers are also expected to explore ways to further deepen ties between the navies of the two countries to check China's heightened activities in the Indian Ocean.
Reflecting growing congruence in ties, Japan had thrown its weight behind India during the Dokalam standoff.
Ahead of Abe's visit here, the India-Japan annual defence ministerial dialogue had taken place in Tokyo during which co-production of military equipment, dual use technologies and New Delhi's proposal to buy the US-2 ShinMaywa aircraft were discussed.
There are indications that the joint statement by the two countries after Modi-Abe talks will have certain components relating to defence cooperation. At the defence dialogue, the two sides had agreed to commence technical discussions for research collaboration in the areas of Unmanned Ground Vehicles and Robotics.
Modi and Abe are expected to deliberate on cooperation in the nuclear energy sector as well. A landmark civil nuclear deal between the two countries providing for collaboration between their industries in the field had come into force in July.
The nuclear cooperation agreement was signed last November during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Tokyo. The deal allows Japan to export nuclear technology to India, making it the first non-NPT signatory to have such a deal with Tokyo.
Abe arrived here yesterday and was received by Modi who welcomed him with his characteristic hug at the airport. Immediately after the welcome ceremony, Abe, his wife, and Modi set-off on an 8-km roadshow in an open-roof jeep for the Sabarmati Ashram where apostle of peace Mahatma Gandhi spent considerable time of his life. It was for the first time that Modi held a joint road show with a visiting head of government of a foreign country, reflecting the close bonding he shares with Abe.
At the Sabarmati Ashram set up by Mahatma Gandhi, Abe and his wife paid homage to the Father of the Nation.
Modi had hosted Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife in Ahmedabad in his home state Gujarat in September 2014.
