Japan and India vow to enhance strategic, global partnership

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, left, shakes hands with his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe at the start of talks at the latter's official residence in Tokyo, Wednesday, May 29, 2013. Singh is currently on a four-day official visit to Japan. <AP Photo/Kimimasa Mayama, Pool>

Japan and India on Wednesday vowed to further promote their strategic and global partnership by enhancing bilateral cooperation in a great number of areas.

In a joint statement released after the summit between Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh, the two countries agreed to intensify political exchanges through various bilateral mechanisms such as the Foreign Ministers ‘ Strategic Dialogue and the “two-plus-two” meeting between foreign and defense chiefs.

The two countries will deepen their defense relations and maritime cooperation, said the statement, adding that they decided to “conduct joint exercises on a regular basis with increased frequency.”
They also decided to establish a joint work group to explore modality for the cooperation on the US-2 amphibian aircraft, it said.

Abe said his country will “continue its official development assistance at a substantial level to encourage India’s efforts towards social and economic development.”

Japan will extend an up to 71 billion yen (about 700 million U. S. dollars) loan to India for a subway project in Mumbai and the yen loan of the fiscal year 2012 worth 353.1 billion yen (about 3. 48 billion dollars) for eight other projects, according to the paper.

Japan and India also agreed to improve cooperation in civil nuclear programs, liquefied natural gas and other energy projects.

Abe said Japan will invite about 1,200 Indian youth to visit Japan, in an effort to boost bilateral people-to-people and educational exchanges.

They also emphasized the importance of international regimes such as the East Asia Summit, Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Regional Forum and the ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting Plus to maintain regional peace, stability and prosperity.

The two countries also said they will work closely to push forward the reform of the United Nations, including the expansion of the UN Security Council, said the joint statement.

Singh arrived in Japan Monday for a four-day visit. The prime minister on Tuesday met with Japanese business leaders, calling for more Japanese investment in India. <Xinhua/NEWSis>