India, Japan agree to work for enhancing dialogue parameters

New Delhi, Aug.21 (ANI): Recognising the pivotal role that economic cooperation between the two countries played in steering their bilateral ties forward, India and Japan on Saturday agreed on the need to enhance dialogue between their foreign offices on several issues, as both sides felt that they had a mutual stake in each other's prosperity and progress.

During the 4th round of the India-Japan Strategic Dialogue in New Delhi, led by External Affairs Minister S.M.Krishna and Foreign Minister Okada respectively, among other issues discussions on global issues like climate change, non-proliferation and disarmament were also held.

India appreciated Japan's decision to commence negotiations on a bilateral Agreement on the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy.

Addressing reporters at a joint press interaction with Japanese Foreign Minister Okada, at the conclusion of 4th round of strategic dialogue, Mr. Krishna said: "We also discussed regional issues of interest to both India and Japan. We also agreed to enhance dialogue between the Foreign Offices of our two countries on several regions," said Krishna and added: "We decided to embark on a new Dialogue on Africa, with a view to synergizing our developmental efforts in that continent."

He said global issues like climate change, non-proliferation and disarmament were discussed during the meeting.

Krishna informed that earlier today during their meet, there was a productive exchange of ideas on how to further strengthen the many dimensions of the India-Japan Strategic and Global Partnership.

"We discussed ways of further consolidating the excellent political, economic, security and people-to-people relations that India and Japan enjoy," he said.

"We affirmed the fundamental and inherent strength of India-Japan relations, which is demonstrated in the continuing logic of our Partnership which has withstood changes in Government in both [of ] our countries," he added.

"We agreed on the pivotal role of economic cooperation in steering our ties forward. We recognized that both sides have a mutual stake in each other's prosperity and progress,"he further added.

Mr. Krishna said that Japan's continuing Official Development Assistance to India as well as their assistance to flagship infrastructure projects was appreciated during the talks.

"I thanked Japan for their continuing Official Development Assistance to India as well as their assistance to flagship infrastructure projects like the Dedicated Freight Corridor, the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor and the establishment of IIT-Hyderabad," he said.

He informed that Japan's Finance Minister Okada reiterated Japan's commitment towards these projects.

"I conveyed to Foreign Minister Okada our appreciation of Japan's decision to commence negotiations on a bilateral Agreement on the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy," Krishna informed.

The first round of negotiations was held in Tokyo on June 28-29 this year.

Krishna said: "We agreed that the negotiations will continue quickly and that we will jointly work towards a good Agreement which will result in a win-win situation for both India and Japan. We do not intend fixing set a time-line for the conclusion of such an Agreement," the Minister said.

Krishna also said that he thanked the Government of Japan for removing 11 Indian entities from their End User List. "This will provide a big boost to High Technology Trade between India and Japan."

Krishna informed that views on the evolving regional architecture in Asia were exchanged and it was agreed to work together in ensuring that such an architecture is open and inclusive. "As member-nations of the East Asia Summit we welcomed the ASEAN Foreign Ministers decision to move towards the inclusion of the United States and Russia in the EAS."

"We also agreed to continue and enhance our consultations within the G-4 process for reform of the United Nations including its Security Council, the Minister said.

Krishna also said that he has accepted Foreign Minister Okada's invitation to meet with other G-4 Foreign Ministers in New York in September this year on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly Session.

"We also discussed regional issues of interest to both India and Japan. We also agreed to enhance dialogue between the Foreign Offices of our two countries on several regions," said Krishna and added: "We decided to embark on a new Dialogue on Africa, with a view to synergizing our developmental efforts in that continent."

He said global issues like climate change, non-proliferation and disarmament were discussed during the meeting.

Krishna said that he conveyed India's willingness to Foreign Minister Okada to work with Japan to ensure a balanced, comprehensive, equitable and effective outcome in the UN-led process on climate change at COP-16 in Mexico.

"On disarmament issues, Krishna said, "I conveyed that India and Japan share the goal of a nuclear weapon-free world. We are ready to work with Japan to achieve such an objective in a comprehensive, non-discriminatory and verifiable framework."

Krishna also informed that Foreign Minister Okada invited him to Japan for the next round of the Annual Strategic Dialogue. "I have accepted his invitation with pleasure and look forward to visiting Japan next year," he stated. (ANI)