PM to visit Japan, Philippines from Dec 11-16

New Delhi, Dec 06 (UNI) As part of the attempts to give a boost to India's 'Look East Policy', Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will embark on a week-long visit to the Philippines and Japan on December 11 for talks aimed at strengthening the strategic and economic content of the ties with one of the fastest growing regions of the world.

The Prime Minister who will be in the Philippines from December 11-13 on the first leg of his tour, will attend the Fifth India-ASEAN Summit and the East Asia Sumit at Cebu.

He is likely to have bilateral meetings with his counterparts from several other countries including Mr Wen Jiabao of China.

In Japan, on the second leg of his tour, besides holding official talks with his Japanese counterpart Shizo Abe on December 15, the Prime Minister will address a joint session of the the DIET--the Japanese Parliament--on December 14. He will also have an audience with the Japanese Emperor and Empress.

Briefing reporters on the Japan visit, Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon said the Prime Minister's visit was taking place against the backdrop of a marked upturn in India-Japan relations, the focal point of which has been the 'Look East Policy.' ''We believe that India-Japan relations are poised to enter a new phase...the two countries are the key anchors in an emerging Asian era...the key driving force is the shared desire to move into a comprehensive mode of engagement,'' he said.

To a question on whether discussions would also be held on Japan's stand on the Indo-US Civilian Nuclear Cooperation, the Foreign Secretary said the issue had been discussed with Japan earlier.

''This is an ongoing conversation and views are evolving on the subject,'' he said.

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