Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe are addressing the media.

PM Modi address Abe as "my old friend". Modi said that he had decided his first bilateral visit would be to Japan. "We discussed politics, security, economy in today's meeting. Japan has a great role in India's development," says Modi. "I am grateful to Japan for the welcome I have got here. Japan will partner us to promote inclusive development," the PM added.

Shinzo Abe addressed the media just ahead of Modi saying he was waiting eagerly to meet him. "Our bilateral relationship has the most potential in the world. "I want to elevate relationship to special global strategic partners. Together with PM Modi, we intend to elevate the relationship into a special strategic and global partnership," he said.