Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday sought to reassure investors that his reformist agenda would translate into better governance for Asia's third-largest economy. During an official visit to Japan, the Indian leader told business leaders in Tokyo that he wanted to cast off the image of a country shackled by red tape and poor infrastructure.
"We have carried out various deregulation measures," Modi, who swept to power in May, told a forum hosted by the Nikkei newspaper and the Japan External Trade Organisation. "Businesses and industries need stability and a growth environment. India has become a country that provides both."
The Japanese government is encouraging businesses to tap fast-growing emerging markets such as India, as the domestic market shrinks due to a rapidly ageing population and low birth rate. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, after holding an official meeting with Modi on Monday, announced his intention to offer public and private investment and financing worth 3.5 trillion yen ($34 billion) over five years to pave the way for Japanese firms to boost their ties to the Indian market.
The figure, which marks a doubling of present levels, includes a 50 billion yen loan for infrastructure development for a country where transport links, power production and telecommunications systems can be shaky and unreliable. India's new government has pledged to fix the flagging economy and provide water, power and toilets to every home.
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