Modi leaves for Japan: 'Defence technology cooperation possible with Tokyo'

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India sees possibility of a new era of cooperation with Japan in high-end defence technology and equipment and noted that progress has been made in parleys on civil nuclear agreement and amphibious aircraft deal between them.

"In the field of defence and security, I feel time has come for us to upgrade our relations. I see in the recent changes in Japan's defence export policies and regulations a possibility to engage in a new era of cooperation in high-end defence technology and equipment," said Modi on Friday.

"There has been significant progress in our negotiations on the civil nuclear agreement; on the US-2 amphibian aircraft; and in the field of high speed railway. It is my hope that my visit this time will pave the way for concrete cooperation on these fields," he said while interacting with the Japanese media.

India is planning to sign a deal with Japan for procuring US-2 amphibious seaplanes for guarding its island territories and also wants to co-produce it in India.

Expressing happiness at Japan's participation in the Indo-US Malabar naval exercise, the Prime Minister said, "We have a shared interest in working together with Japan and with other countries, to foster peace and stability in Asia and beyond. We are committed to strengthen defence exchanges and cooperation between Japan and India."

He said the "two sides will strengthen defence exchanges at all levels and continue to hold naval exercises with regular frequency."

Modi left for five-day bilateral visit to Japan early on Saturday, accompanied by a high level delegation including National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh.

Ahead of his departure, Modi said his visit to Japan "underlines the high priority that Japan receives in our foreign and economic policies".

He added that this visit is a reflection of Japan's paramount importance in his vision for development and prosperity in India and in peace, stability and prosperity in Asia at large.

Modi will first visit Japan's old capital Kyoto, where he will be joined by his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe.

From there, he will head to Tokyo, to discuss the roadmap for Indo-Japan global and strategic partnership.

In his departure statement, the PM said, "I propose to celebrate these links of history and the experiences of our people, and impart new meaning to them. We will explore how Japan can associate its productively with my vision of inclusive development in India, including the transformation of India's manufacturing, infrastructure sectors, energy and social sectors."

"We will discuss how to boost our defence and security cooperation, including defence technology, equipment and industry, in line with the evolving domestic policies of the two countries. I will try to accelerate progress on the unfinished projects and initiatives that the two countries have embarked upon," he added.