India and Japan have signed a Memorandum of Understanding today to promote heritage conservation, city modernization and cooperation in the field of art, culture and education .
Varanasi, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi represents in the Lok Sabha, will be developed into a 'smart city' by using the experience of Kyoto, the 'smart city' of Japan, under the pact.
Spokesman of Ministry of External Affairs Syed Akbaruddin said that the treaty was signed in Kyoto in presence of Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe.
He also said, the treaty was signed under smart heritage city program. Ambassador of India in Japan Ms Deepa Wadhwa and Kyoto Mayor Daisaku Kadokawa have signed the treaty for their respective countries.
On the other hand, the Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe greeted Modi in Kyoto State guest house as a special gesture. Modi has also fed fish as per Japanese beliefs of peace and prosperity .
The Japanese Prime Minister has also hosted a dinner for Narendra Modi .Earlier, the AIR India's Special flight carrying Modi and Indian delegations including senior officials landed at Osaka International Airport.
Mr. Modi was greeted by YAMAZAKI, Chief of Protocol, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. Ambassadors of Japan in India and Indian Ambassador in Japan were also presence in airport.
AIR correspondent further reports that both India and Japan are optimistic to take the bilateral relation to a new level.
The signing of agreement between the two countries is a step ahead to learn from the experiences of Kyoto in preserving cultural heritage and environment friendly approach. The treaty is also set the stage to implement the smart heritage city program in India.
The visit of Narendra Modi is also likely to provide an opportunity for both the countries to work with each other for the cause of global peace.
India hopes that both the countries would be able to raise the strategic and global partnership to new levels. The Japanese Prime Minister hoped the visit will write a new chapter in strategic partnership.
