KOBE, June 27 - Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that ties between India and Japan will become stronger in �New India� as he thanked the Indian diaspora for being part of the world�s largest democratic process, which saw the participation of 61 crore voters.
�When it comes to India�s relationship with the world, Japan has an important place in it. This relationship is dated back to centuries. There is a sense of belonging, goodwill and respect for each other�s culture and civilization,� Modi, who is in Japan to attend the G20 Summit to be held in Osaka from Friday, said while addressing an enthusiastic Indian community at Kobe.
�Almost two decades ago, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and the then Japanese premiere Yoshiro Mori together made our relationship as a global partnership. After becoming Prime Minister in 2014, I got a chance to strengthen our friendship with my dear friend Prime Minister Shinzo Abe... This relationship will become stronger in New India,� Modi said.
He also noted the contribution of Swami Vivekananda, Rabindranath Tagore, Mahatma Gandhi, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Justice Radhabinod Pal and many other Indians in strengthening India�s relationship with Japan.
Modi, who is visiting Japan for the first time after his re-election, said people of India have trusted him once again and have bestowed upon him much more responsibility. �I�m fortunate to be here once again after 7 months. It�s a coincidence that last time when I was here, election results were out here and you had shown trust in my dear friend Shinzo Abe,� he said. � PTI
