Tuesday, October 26, 2010

PM's satisfactory visit to Japan

Prime Minister Dr.Manmohan Singh has concluded his 3-day visit to Japan during which both the countries decided to hasten negotiations on a civil nuclear deal and agreed on a range of other issues to take their strategic partnership to new heights. India and Japan also announced the firming up of Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement, which will open trade between the two countries and slashing of taxes up to 94 percent over the next decade. Prime Minister talked with his Japanese counterpart Naoto Kan, leaders from business and politics during which they discussed ways to further improve their ties.It is clear from from the bonhomie and mutual respect that existed during PM's visit that there are no limits of scope for co-operation between Indian and Japan. Both Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and his Japanese counterpart appeared keen on developing relations in every field between the two countries. The two Prime Ministers had comprehensive and detailed discussions and felt the need for developing all encompassing relations covering political, economy and security aspects. The two sides also decided to establish a ministerial level Economic Dialogue between India and Japan to give strategic and long-term policy orientation to their bilateral engagement. The proposal was mooted by Japan, which already has such a Dialogue with China. Singh and Kan have affirmed that cooperation in nuclear sector will open up new opportunities for further developing the India-Japan Strategic and Global Partnership. At the same time Prime Minister Singh has taken utmost care of the sensitivities of Japan to nuclear arms as Japan is the only country where atom bombs were dropped during the second World War 11. As it is a declaed stand of India that with whichever country it signs Nuclear Deal, it is for peaceful purpses and energy for development. So, Japan need not be sceptical about India's intention as far as Nuclear Deal is concerned . India will never force any country to strike the nuclear deal. The two leaders also encouraged their negotiators to arrive at a mutually-satisfactory agreement for civil nuclear cooperation at an early date. The co-operation in the field of economy between Japan and India is vital for both the countries. In a breakthrough in bilateral economic relations, India and Japan have successfully concluded negotiations for a CEPA pact that will liberalise trade between them, even as PM Manmohan Singh promised to carry forward reforms of taxes, financial sector and capital markets. The progress in the talks for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) came at the end of discussions between Singh and his Japanese counterpart Naota Kan which covered a wide range of subjects. It is all likelyhood that India and Japan CEPA will be signed at the earliest at Ministerial level, on completion of necessary formalities by both sides.Both sides are of view that the CEPA will be truly comprehensive by including fields that range from Trade in Goods, Investment, Trade in Services, and Movement of Natural Persons to Intellectual Property, Competition, Improvement of the Business Environment, Bilateral Cooperation and so forth.Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh's visit to Japan has been successful and if the zeal and enthusiam shown by both sides as during the visit, there would open a new chapter of relations between Japan and India. As India has been very keen to strengthen relations with East Asian countries for almost 30 years, India and Japan would show the light of peace and development to the world by expanding the areas of co-operation.

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