India, Japan agree to enhance strategic dialogue

    New Delhi: India and Japan agreed and decided to enhance the existing level of the strategic dialogue between the two countries following delegation-level talks between the two sides in the capital today. Both Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso, who led his team at the talks, and Minister of State for External Affairs E. Ahamed, who led the Indian side, agreed that henceforth, the strategic dialogue between the two sides would be conducted at the level of Foreign Ministers. The existing foreign office consultations at Secretary/Deputy Minister-level will be utilized to prepare for the Foreign Minister-level dialogue. It was also agreed that the high level strategic dialogue would also be operationalised as soon as possible. During his talks with Ahamed, Aso noted with satisfaction that the Global Partnership between India and Japan had acquired a new dynamism and momentum.

    Reiterating the principles and understandings contained in the Joint Statement signed by Prime Ministers Koizumi and Manmohan Singh in New Delhi on April 29, 2005, both Ministers agreed to further promote the Global Partnership with a focus on the strategic perspective. Both sides agreed that in response to Prime Minister Koizumi's invitation to visit Japan, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh would visit Japan at an early, mutually convenient date. It was also agreed that regular ministerial-level exchanges, including between Foreign, Defence, Finance, Trade, and ICT Ministers, would continue. The two sides agreed to earnestly consider the possibility of a comprehensive economic partnership agreement in the context of the ongoing work of the India-Japan Joint Study Group, which is expected to submit its report by June 2006. Noting the positive outcome of the first ICT Forum held in New Delhi in August 2005, the two sides agreed that the immense potential for cooperation in this sector would be fully tapped, including through early meetings of the Working Groups of the Forum. The Indian side expressed its appreciation for Japan's support for India's participation in ITER. The two sides agreed to step up cooperation in the energy sector, including through timely implementation of the Plan of Action agreed upon between the Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas of India and the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan in Tokyo on September 29, 2005.

   The two sides agreed to hold joint workshops to identify collaboration projects to be undertaken as part of the "Science and Technology Initiative", announced by the two Prime Ministers in April 2005. The relevant modalities in this regard will be finalized through mutual consultations, in pursuance of the discussions held in the 7th Meeting of India-Japan Joint Committee on Science and Technology in New Delhi in November 2005. Aso also conveyed that India would remain the largest recipient of the Japanese ODA loan in the current fiscal year for the third consecutive year. The Indian side expressed its appreciation for the Japanese assistance. As far as the Freight Corridors Project was concerned, both sides reiterated their commitment to activating dedicated multi-modal freight corridors with computerized train control system on Mumbai-Delhi and Delhi-Howrah routes. The two sides agreed, through an exchange of Notes that the feasibility study survey for the project will be carried out by the Japan International Cooperation Agency. Aso also conveyed the decision of the Japanese side to launch the "Aso Programme" which will involve the exchange of 4000 persons over the next three years in the fields of Japanese language, technology, youth interaction, etc., with Japanese funding and support.

   The India side expressed its appreciation for this initiative that will promote people-to-people contacts. The two sides also agreed to encourage further exchanges at local levels. Noting the recent progress in the relaxation of visa procedures, including through issuance of multiple-entry visas valid for three years to Indian businessmen, both Ministers directed that consultations be held at an early date to consider further facilitation of visa procedures. The Ministers agreed to further strengthen dialogue and exchanges between the two countries in the security and defence fields. Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee is expected to pay an official visit to Japan later this year. The next round of Comprehensive Security Dialogue and Military-to-Military Talks will precede this visit. It was also agreed to launch a Joint Secretary/Director General- level Annual Dialogue on Disarmament and Non-proliferation, with the objective of promoting commonalities and enlarging areas of convergence for mutual cooperation in a constructive manner, thereby contributing to the advancement of overall bilateral relations. Noting the positive outcome of the First East Asia Summit in Malaysia, both Ministers agreed that such summits should play a significant role in the progressive realization of the vision of an East Asian community.

    The two sides also reaffirmed the need for urgent and comprehensive reform of the United Nations, including the reform and expansion of the UN Security Council, in both permanent and non-permanent categories, which is central to the UN reform process, within the current session of the UN General Assembly. They reiterated that the coming together of the G-4 (India, Japan, Brazil and Germany) has been a significant development, and that the G-4, in their consultations, are seeking to garner as much support as possible from other member States in order to realize the reform of the Security Council. Prior to the bilateral talks, Aso had meetings with Commerce Minister Kamal Nath and National Security Adviser M.K. Narayanan. He is expected to call on President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam today before leaving India.