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On Board Air India One, Dec 13 (UNI) Enhanced economic cooperation will be the most important item on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's agenda in his talks with Japanese leaders during his four-day visit to Tokyo.

Mr T K A Nair, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, told reporters accompanying Dr Singh on his visit to Tokyo that both India and Japan were of the view that enhanced economic engagement was necessary to achieve strategic objectives of the relationship.

He noted that Japanese investments in India were going up and the number of Japanese business delegations visiting India had increased manifold.

There was an intense interaction between the business communities of the two countries.

Japan has from time to time conveyed to India its dissatisfaction over the lack of adequate infrastructure . India, on the other hand, wants Japan to invest in infrastructure development in the country.

Japan has already invested in health and Delhi Metro quite substantially.

The second phase of the Delhi Metro will also form part of the Prime Minister's discussions. There is also a proposal to develop two multi-modal dedicated freight corrdiors between Delhi and Mumbai and Delhi and Howrah. The two sides will also consider funding and other aspects of the projects.

Mr Nair said Japan has suggested the setting up of an industrial corrdior along the Delhi-Mumbai freight corrdior . The Japanese also desired setting up a special economic zone for their companies.

These proposals would also be discussed tomorrow.

There were a number of Japanese companies operating in India and many more were planning to enter the Indian market. They have given proposals for setting up new projects.

JETRO, the trade promotion body of Japan, has already opened offices in New Delhi and Bangalore.

Mr Nair said the comprehensive economic engagement between the two countries would be based on the recommendations of the joint study group set up for the purpose.

The two sides are likely to agree to study the report of the group and chalk out further steps in this regard.

UNI SA AT HS1852