India hopes for Japan's support at NSG: PM

New Delhi, Aug 22 (UNI) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today expressed the hope that Japan would support India on the Indo-US nuclear deal at the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) even as the two countries issued two joint statements on energy security and on strategic and global partnership.

The two countries ''looked forward to constructive deliberations at the relevant international fora with respect to the international civil nuclear cooperation framework under appropriate IAEA safeguards with India,'' the joint statement on strategic and global partnership said.

The joint statements were issued after Dr Singh had talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe here.

''The two leaders shared the view that nuclear energy can play an important role as a safe, sustainable and non-polluting source of energy in meeting the rising global demand for energy,'' the statement said.

At a joint press inter-action, Dr Singh said he had sought Japan's support at the 45-member NSG and was hopeful it would be forthcoming. Japan is a key member of the group.

India and Japan reaffirmed that terrorism constituted one of the most serious threats to international peace and security, and commended the efforts undertaken by both governments to fight against terrorism.

They strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and stressed that there can be no justification, whatsoever, for any acts of terrorism.

Dr Singh and Mr Abe decided to strengthen bilateral cooperation in combating terror including the Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism.

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