Japanese PM addresses Joint Session of Parliament

Japanese PM Shinzo Abe addressed the Members of Parliament in the packed Central Hall of Parliament. He is currently on a three-day official visit to India. He hailed India as a strong ally of Japan and also lauded India's spirit of tolerance as a gift to the World Community. Abe said that the world is looking towards India, as an emerging economic superpower. He expressed confidence that Indo-Japan partnership would prove beneficial to world security.

The Japanese PM focused mainly on business and environment in his 20-minute address. According to him, Japan wants to work with India to reduce greenhouse gases by 50 percent by 2030. He sought closer cooperation with India on defense, security and economic affairs. Abe pushed for an early agreement on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement or CEPA to improve economic relations and raise bilateral trade to $20 billion in the next three years.

Japan has promised to help India in the field of energy by providing advanced technology. Abe also announced that Japan would invite 500 Indian students every year. Abe is heading a 200-member business delegation. Vice President Hamid Ansari, Lok Sabha Speaker Somanth Chatterjee and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh were present during the Japanese PM's speech.