Indo-Japan talks to focus on economic, science and technology cooperation

Talks between India and Japan during the visit of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will primarily focus on enhancing economic, scientific and technological cooperation, a senior official of the Japanese Government said today.

New Delhi, Aug 21 : Talks between India and Japan during the visit of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will primarily focus on enhancing economic, scientific and technological cooperation, a senior official of the Japanese Government said today.

Mitsuo Sakaba told a news briefing here this morning that Prime Minister Abe would be accompanied by a 200-strong delegation of business leaders, which by itself was a reflection of Tokyo's keen desire to make an impact in Indian markets.

Sakaba said that Abe's visit would also take up the issue of Japan's support for the US-India civil nuclear cooperation deal.

He said Japan will be looking to strike a balance between India's civil energy requirements, Japan's own technological capabilities and its concerns and sensitivities in the area of nuclear proliferation - considering that two Japanese cities - Hiroshima and Nagasaki - (August 6 and 9, 1945) have been victims of the atomic bomb.

Japan hopes India will be forthcoming in terms of transparency in negotiations with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) later this year.

Sakaba also dwelt on the Economic Partnership Agreement between the two countries, which has already undergone three rounds of discussions at the official level. Japan, he said, would like to see the pact concluded as soon as possible.

"Issues can be over-cut, as long as Japan and India engage with each other. The 200 member business delegation is a demonstration of high expectations e have from the EPA," he said.

He said that the joint declaration to be announced at the end of Abe's visit is likely to refer to the Japan's investments in the proposed Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor, and the Freight Corridor Project. A student exchange programme covering 500 students annually is also on the anvil, he added.

Japan is also likely to provide aid for setting up of the Indian Institute of Information Technology at Jabalpur.

Beyond this, possible agreements may cover what role Japan and India can play in Asia. Prime Minister Abe will depart for Kolkata on Thursday morning, the first visit to that city by a Japanese leader.

ANI