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[Provisional Translation]

On December 12 (local time), during his visit to Delhi in India, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe received a joint report from the Business Leaders Forum.

Following that, Prime Minister Abe met with H.E. Mr. Pranab Mukherjee, President of India. Afterwards, he held talks with H.E. Mr. Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, and then held a signing ceremony and a joint press announcement.

In the afternoon, the Prime Minister visited Varanasi with Prime Minister Modi, and observed religious ceremonies at a ghat near the Ganges.

When he accepted the joint report from the Business Leaders Forum, the Prime Minister said,

“Yesterday was the opening of the eighth Japan-India Business Leaders Forum. Business people representing Japan and India have compiled and submitted a joint report on the current state of the Japanese and Indian economies and a vision for the future. I welcome this report and express my gratitude for it.

I am meeting with Prime Minister Modi for a summit meeting this time. I have met him previously during his visit to Japan last year, as well as in New York, Kuala Lumpur, and Paris this year. We have a relationship similar to that of people who have known each other for ten or twenty years.

My belief is that a strong India is good for Japan, and a strong Japan is good for India. This is my basic way of thinking. We share universal values and strategic interests. The two largest democratic countries in Asia working hand in hand for development will lead to peace and prosperity for this region and the world. I am certain of this.
It is a conviction I share with Prime Minister Modi.

Prime Minister Modi said just now that there is no doubt that joining forces with Japan in the economic arena is also good for India. It will also produce major benefits for Japan. That is the conviction that we have just heard.

India is now truly an attractive investment destination for Japan that is deserving of our focus. I believe that this is also being strongly felt by the Japanese business world through yesterday’s forum and hearing today’s statements from Prime Minister Modi. Successful investments encourage further investments. In that sense as well, I believe it is extremely important that our two countries collaborate.

A common point shared by Prime Minister Modi and myself is the speed at which we implement policies. We emphasize speed. Prime Minister Modi’s speed rivals that of a Shinkansen. You may wonder why I compare his speed to a Shinkansen – it is because his policies can steadily and safely carry forward people and things.

I want to continue to advance the Japan-India relationship, our business relationships, and our economic relationships with a mutual sense of speed.

I would like to conclude my remarks by expressing my hope that today’s meeting, and yesterday’s meeting as well, will lead to the further deepening of business relationships between our two countries, and greatly contribute to the economies of both our countries.

I will hold a summit meeting with Prime Minister Modi after this. I want to make it a summit meeting that will take the Japan-India relationship into a completely new dimension. That is what I am thinking. Thank you very much.”

In addition, after arriving at Varanasi, the Prime Minister said,

“Since I arrived in Varanasi, at this hotel, and when I went by the Ganges, many people at the side of the roads welcomed me by waving small Japanese flags. I was deeply moved to see their warm feelings toward Japan.

In addition, I prayed among the lights of many candles lined up along the river, the aroma of flowers, and the rhythm of music. It was a tremendously magical and beautiful ceremony. Attending it put me in a solemn mood. I could feel the wishes for a peaceful life in the prayers of the people there.

I reflected about how I hope that we will be able to develop the Japan-India relationship further, and that Japan will be able to make a contribution toward helping the people of India to lead rich and peaceful lives.”