Manmohan returns to India after Japan visit

New Delhi, Dec 16: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today arrived here after a four-day visit to Japan during which the two countries decided to upgrade their bilateral relationship to a strategic and global partnership.

After the official talks between Dr Singh and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe yesterday, the two sides also signed as many as 12 statements and agreements aimed at enhancing the strategic and economic content of their relationship.

During his four-day stay in Japan, the Prime Minister also met several other Japanese ministers and leaders. He also interacted with Japanese and Indian businessmen.

Dr Singh also had the singular honour of addressing the Diet, the Japanese Parliament, on Thursday. He and his wife, Mrs Gursharan Kaur, were received in an audience by the Emperor and Empress of Japan.

On the same day, the Prime Minister inaugurated the Festival of India in Japan and, along with Mr Abe, unveiled the joint logo of the Japan-India Friendship Year 2007.

UNI

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