The 'Partner City Affiliation' MoU marks the launch of a smart heritage city programme between the two countries; a detailed roadmap of cooperation will be prepared which will form the base for further understanding.
Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe oversaw the ceremony where the pact was signed by Indian ambassador to Japan Deepa Wadhwa and Daisaku Kadokawa, mayor of Kyoto, the Japanese 'smart city' — a confluence of heritage and modernity.
Abe made a special gesture of flying to Kyoto to meet his Indian counterpart. Both hugged each other warmly, in a reflection of the warmth of their personal bonding. Modi gifted him books on Swami Vivekananda and a copy of Bhagwad Gita.
Abe later hosted a traditional Japanese dinner for Modi in the Imperial Guest House in Kyoto. Their discussion was "exceptionally warm and friendly", a PMO statement said, adding that it was marked by a "great deal of mutual respect and admiration and convergence of views".
Describing Japan as "one of India's closest and most important partners", Modi spoke about his own admiration for the country and his high hopes from the relationship.
Abe spoke "with great enthusiasm and strong conviction" about India and the importance of bilateral relations for Japan and the region. He expressed confidence that India's economic transformation would gather strong momentum under Modi. He also said an economically resurgent India would be of great strategic importance to the region and the world, and an inspiration for democratic forces around the world.
The discussions covered economic issues and the opportunities that both countries had to seize — presented by their respective strong political mandates — to inject new momentum and energy in their economies.
The two also had an "extensive and candid" exchange of views on regional and global developments and saw "in their remarkable convergence of views a great opportunity to work together for peace, stability and prosperity in Asia and the world."
From Kyoto, he travels to Tokyo, where he would discuss with Abe the roadmap for the mutual global and strategic partnership in the years ahead.
India is keen on early conclusion of the civil nuclear agreement with Japan, which will facilitate supply of its nuclear technology. With the Modi government evincing interest in bullet trains, the issue is likely to figure in discussions.
Negotiations are also underway for sale of Japan's US-2 amphibious aircraft to India.
During their dinner meeting, the two PMs spoke about the ancient cultural and religious links between the countries which were not known widely, noting the start of Modi's visit from Kyoto highlighted the spiritual foundations of India-Japan relations. Kyoto had been included in Modi's schedule as it dovetails into his emphasis on rejuvenation of cities while preserving their cultural heritage.
'Hope Japan ties reach full potential in 5 years'
Modi, who is making his first bilateral sojourn outside South Asia since he took office in May, observed that the India-Japan relationship was far below potential and expressed the hope that the two sides would strive to achieve in five years the unrealized potential of five decades.
He also said that a strong India-Japan partnership was important not just for the economic benefits to the two countries, but even more as a force of good for the region and the world. He also mentioned his plan to visit Centre for iPS Cell Research in Kyoto as part of his desire to seek advanced solutions through stem cell research for health challenges in India.
Modi is scheduled to visit Toji temple, which symbolizes the confluence of Indian and Japanese civilizational commonalities regarding Buddhism, Sunday.
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