India, Japan sign non-proliferation pact

Tokyo, Oct 22: India and Japan on Wednesday, Oct 22 signed an agreement on security cooperation committing to work together by increasing practical cooperation among the foreign affairs, defence and other related agencies of the two countries.

The agreement was arrived at the end of bilateral talks between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Japanese counterpart Taro Aso as part of the fourth regular annual summit-level meeting here. In a joint declaration, Dr Singh and Mr Aso recognized their common commitment to democracy, open society, human rights and the rule of law.

External Affairs Ministry sources said India and Japan will develop an action plan with specific measures to advance security cooperation in the agreed areas and report to the Prime Ministers at an early date.

The elements for security cooperation include : information exchange and policy coordination on regional affairs in the Asia Pacific region and on long term strategic and global issues, bilateral cooperation within multilateral frameworks in Asia, Defence dialogue and cooperation, cooperation between coast guards, safety of transport, fight against terrorism and transnational crimes, disaster management and disarmament and non-proliferation.

It was decided that consultations would be conducted between the two Foreign offices by way of strategic dialogue at foreign minister level, meeting between foreign secretary of India and Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, dialogue on disarmament and non-proliferation at director general/joint secretary level.

It provides for meetings between the two Defence authorities, besides consultation between the National Security Advisor of India and his Japanese counterpart.

A mechanism will be put in place for sharing information on suspicious transaction of money laundering and terrorist financing between the two Financial Intelligence Units. There will be cooperation to develop Tsunami Disaster map in India. The two sides will promote capacity building in disaster prevention, preparedness, sharing knowledge and experience of both countries.

Prime Ministers Singh and Aso decided to ensure cooperation between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency in the field of disaster management.

Affirming their common commitment to fight against terrorism, they recognized that counter-terrorism efforts by both the countries, including the Japan Maritime Self Defence Force's replenishment activities in the Indian Ocean constituted an important part in the international community's effort to eradicate terrorism.

They reiterated their common commitment in pursuing disarmament and non-proliferation as partners seeking a peaceful nuclear-weapon free world and working together against proliferation.

Reaffirming their common commitment to a comprehensive reform of the United Nations, including the expansion of the UN Security Council in both the permanent and non-permanent categories, both the leaders affirmed the establishment of a "strategic Global Partnership that is driven by converging long-term political, economic and strategic interests, aspirations and concerns.'' They have decided to create a comprehensive framework for the enhancement of security cooperation between the two countries.

UNI