WORLD
Japan, India agree to boost security and technology cooperation
Baku, October 30, AZERTAC
Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi have agreed on enhanced cooperation in security and digital technology, according to NHK world.
The leaders agreed to launch a two-plus-two meeting format of defense and foreign ministers to make the Indian and Pacific Oceans free and open against the backdrop of China's stepped-up maritime activities.
Abe also agreed to offer India up to around 2.7 billion dollars in yen loans. The money would cover projects such as a rapid railway system in western India for which Japan's bullet train technology will be used, and a bridge project in northeastern India.
In the area of digital technology, they agreed to conduct joint research into artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies. And they agreed to promote the hiring of Indian IT engineers by Japanese businesses.
They also agreed to conclude a currency swap agreement worth 75 billion dollars to help stabilize financial markets.
Abe and Modi have reaffirmed the importance of concluding negotiations for the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership trade pact.