Former Japan PM meets India's Gujarat state CM

Ahmedabad (Gujarat, India), Jan 4 (PTI) Former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda has called for strengthening of ties between India and Japan and said that Parliamentary association between the two nations has started working on the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) project. Fukuda, who met Gujarat state Chief Minister Narendra Modi, said that Japan-India Parliamentary Friendship Association (JIPFA) has also started working towards execution of the project, an official release said. Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor is a mega infrastructure project of USD 90 billion, which has financial and technical aid from Japan. Fukuda is on a tour of the state. He is accompanied by the JIPFA Head Katsuo Okada. During his meeting with the Gujarat Chief Minister, Fukuda advocated for strengthening ties between Japan and Gujarat. Fukuda said the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) project serves as a bridge for the growing partnership between the two nations. Nearly 40 per cent of the DMIC project passes through Gujarat. It is expected to attract investments to the tune of USD 10 billion and throw open new job opportunities in the state, a state official said. "Gujarat was playing a significant role in strengthening ties between India and Japan," Modi told the former Japanese PM. The prospects of political alliances and industrial tie-ups between Japan and India were improving with strengthening of ties, he said. PTI