Better Golf Courses Await You in Gujarat, Says PM to Delighted Audience

Tokyo: Japanese government and business leaders pledged support Monday for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's effort to modernize the Indian economy.

In a gesture toward his golf-loving Japanese hosts, the PM told an audience of entrepreneurs that he has beefed up the links in Gujarat, where he was Chief Minister for more than a decade before becoming Prime Minister in May.

"I felt that as a government, to facilitate Japanese visitors to the state, among other things we developed golf courses," he said, drawing enthusiastic applause.

Mr Modi is visiting Japan with a delegation of more than a dozen Indian tycoons, seeking to take still relatively low-key ties between the countries to a "new level." (Am Gujarati, Commerce is in My Blood, Says PM Modi in Tokyo)

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe took the rare step of traveling to the ancient city of Kyoto over the weekend to host and dine with the PM. The two leaders, who have exchanged affectionate greetings via their Twitter feeds, were shown in a bear hug. (From One PM to Another: Narendra Modi's Special Gift to Shinzo Abe)

India is keen to gain more support for ambitious energy and construction projects, including high-speed railways. In a speech to Japanese business leaders, Mr Modi promised to set up a team within his office to facilitate such efforts and streamline the bureaucracy that has slowed progress in the past.

Mr Modi reminded Tokyo that the Indian economy has picked up pace in what some analysts are calling the "Modi bounce."

"When I became Prime Minister, there were high expectations. Not just high expectations, but people expected speed in decisions," Mr Modi told leaders of Japan's five big business groups. "I give you the assurance that what we have done in the past 100 days, the results will be seen very quickly." (Working to Replicate Japan-Like Efficiency in PMO, Says Narendra Modi in Tokyo)

Japan and India are also beefing up cooperation on security, with an eye toward China's growing assertiveness in the region. (PM Modi Takes Swipe At China Before Talks With Japanese Premier Abe)