China to support India in civil nuke energy prog

Singapore, Nov 21: Supporting the international civil nuclear energy cooperation with India, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao today said his country was willing to cooperate with New Delhi at regional and multinational forums on energy security.

These views were expressed by Mr Wen during his 45-minute meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh here on the sidelines of the 3rd East Asia summit.

Talking to mediapersons yesterday Dr Singh said, ''I think that China has not said that it would not support us.'' Meanwhile, India is to negotiate with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to finalise India-specific safeguard agreements and then would approach the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) for transfer of nuclear technology and fuel for energy purposes.

The two leaders reiterated their readiness to ''see a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable solution to the boundary questions and expressed satisfaction at the progress that is being made by the Special Representatives in this regard.

They resolved to take the India-China Strategic and Cooperative Partnership for Peace and Prosperity to a new level. The Chinese Premier said that friendship with India is the strategic and long term objective of China. On his part Dr Singh told him that India attaches great importance to its patnership with China and is resolved to ensuring the comprehensive development of bilateral relations for mutual benefit on the basis of mutual sensitivity to each other's concern.

Mr Wen said that China was eagerly awaiting Dr Singh's visit early next year and hoped that it will further strengthen the friendly relations between the people of the two countries.

The Prime Minister also met Japanese Premier Yasuo Fakuda. The two leaders reiterated their commitment to Strategic and Global Partnership, which has been established between the two countries to deepen their ties.

Both leaders agreed on the importance of maintaining regular high level exchanges and the need to expedite progress on projects that were part of Special Economic Partnership Intiative(SEPI).

Mr Fakuda invited Dr Singh to visit Japan next year and the invitation was accepted. The two leaders also agreed to strengthen their cooperation in regional and multilateral fora on important issues like UN reforms and climate change. Both Japan and India are contenders for the membership of the Security Council.

UNI