India, Japan launch Ministerial-level Strategic Dialogue

New Delhi, Mar 22 (UNI) India and Japan today held the first Ministerial-level Srtrategic Dialogues and reached an understanding on strengthening cooperation in energy security and Defence, against terrorism and weapons of mass destruction.

External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, currently in Japan on a two-day official visit, met Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Foreign Minister Taro Aso and expressed determination to accelerate the process of strengthening bilateral relations.

He also met Mr Akira Amari, Minister for Economy, Trade and Industry and Mr Tetsuzo Fuyushiba, Minister for Land Infrastructure and Transport and will meet Defence Minister Fumio Kyuma tomorrow.

An External Affairs Ministry spokesman said here today that during these intensive interactions, it was noted with satisfaction that bilateral relations had gained new momentum to reach a higher level following the decision by the two Prime Ministers to establish the India-Japan Strategic and Global Partnership.

The External Affairs Minister his Japanese counterpart exchanged views on ways to enhance cooperation on regional, multilateral and global issues.

''They reached a common understanding that India and Japan have a responsibility for responding to regional and global challenges and must play an active role for promotion of peace and stability in Asia and the world at large,'' the spokesman said.

Considering the present situation in Asia, the Ministers had extensive discussions on the direction of Japan-India cooperation towards building peace and prosperity in Asia.

The reaffirmed that there exists common objectives and values between the idea of 'Arc of Freedom and Prosperity' proposed by Japan and the idea of 'Arc of Advantage and Prosperity' proposed by India, and that realisation of such common ideas would benefit not only Japan and India but also the whole of Asia.

They deciced to intensify dialogue on Asia through various channels.

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