Modi, Abe lay foundation of country's 1st bullet train, describe day as 'historic'

Ahmedabad, Sep 14: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his visiting Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe today jointly laid the foundation of the country's first bullet train project, describing the day as historic and a symbol of deepening relationship between the two countries. The train that will run at the speed of 350 km/hour, initially between 508 km stretch between Mumbai and Ahmedabad is set to revolutionise and transform the railways and integrate it to the updated global technology. Mr Abe, on this occasion, expressed his country's strong commitment for extending all cooperation in India's ambitious 'Make in India' project, and Mr Modi hailed Japan as a great friend who has come forward to help India in taking its first step towards 'New India'. Mr Modi said the bullet train will give the country 'Tez gati, tez pragati, tez technology aur tez parinam (fast speed, fast progress, fast technology and fast results). The thanked the 'unique' friend Japan for giving Rs 88,000-crore for the first bullet train just at 0.1 per cent interest. Mr Abe, who described Mr Modi as a visionary world leader, said they had taken the decision on the bullet train when Mr Modi had visited his country. Returning the tribute, Mr Modi said that for a good friend time and boundaries were no road blocks, and japan had proved that. UNI