PM Modi discusses bullet train, Varanasi with Japan PM on G20 sidelines

The bilateral meeting also discussed other important issues of mutual concern and was described as “very constructive and detailed” between ‘old friends’ by Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi started his G20 visit with wide-ranging discussions on bilateral matters - including the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project and the Varanasi convention centre being built with Japanese cooperation-- with ‘old friend’ Japanese PM Shinzo Abe.

PM Modi started his G20 visit with wide-ranging discussions on bilateral matters with ‘old friend’ Japanese PM Shinzo Abe. (REUTERS)

Japan has granted India a soft loan of ₹79,000 crore for India’s first bullet train modeled on Japan’s Shinkansen trains. One of the most ambitious infrastructure projects carried out with Japanese cooperation is due for 2022 launch.

Watch | PM Modi meets Japan PM Shinzo Abe, discusses India-Japan ties

Similarly, Japan has lent India approximately ₹200 crore for a world class convention centre as part of agreement inked between Varanasi and Kyoto. The centre was conceived by the two leaders when they visited Varanasi together in 2015.

The bilateral meeting also discussed other important issues of mutual concern and was described as “very constructive and detailed” between ‘old friends’ by Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale.

Read all the live updates from the G20 summit here

He said Japan PM Abe had specifically suggested that the G20 should take up PM Modi’s initiative on the issue of fugitive economic offenders as part of its anti-corruption measures.

PM’s meeting with Abe is the first of many he will hold with top global leaders outside and inside the ambit of the summit.

At the start of the meeting, Shinzo Abe congratulated PM Modi for his stellar poll victory and said that it was ‘his turn’ to visit India and he was ‘looking forward’ to it. Prime Minister Modi acknowledged that Abe was the first to call after his victory. “...you were the first friend of India who congratulated me, on phone. I also express my gratitude for the warm welcome you and Japan Government have accorded to us.”  PM said.