PM embarks on 7-day visit to Japan, Malaysia and Vietnam

New Delhi, Oct 24 (PTI) With an aim of pushing India's
'Look East' policy, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Sunday
embarked on a three-nation tour of Japan, Malaysia and Vietnam
whose highlight will be the announcements on conclusion of
negotiations on trade-opening agreements.
Singh will be in Japan and Malaysia on bilateral
visits and Vietnam for ASEAN-India and East Asia Summits. In
Hanoi, he will also have a bilateral meeting with Chinese
Premier Wen Jiabao and some other leaders.
In the first leg of the seven-day tour, Singh will be
in Tokyo for two days during which he will hold talks with his
counterpart Naoto Kan on a range of issues, including civil
nuclear energy cooperation, security cooperation and ways to
enhance economic ties besides joint infrastructure projects
being carried out in India.
In his departure statement, the Prime Minister said:
"The tradition of Annual Summits with Japan has resulted in a
strong, vibrant and multi-dimensional relationship between
India and Japan.
"Strengthening of the India-Japan Strategic and Global
Partnership enjoys fullest support across the political
spectrum in both our countries and is a factor of peace,
prosperity and stability in Asia and the world," he said.
Noting that Japan is a major economic partner of
India, Singh said the country has embarked upon mega
infrastructure projects with Japanese assistance which have
the potential of transforming the economy.
"Our trade and economic relationship is set to enter a
new phase. I look forward to detailed discussions with Prime
Minister Kan on bilateral, regional and global issues," he
said.
During the visit, an announcement will be made on
conclusion of negotiations on Comprehensive Economic
Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which India says will lead to a
"win-win" situation.
The agreement will not be signed during the visit as
Japan needs to complete certain internal processes, like
clearance from its Parliament (Diet) which will take some
time.
With regard to the proposed civil nuclear cooperation
agreement, the two sides have held two rounds of negotiations
and more would be required before it is signed. The next round
will be held in November.
Singh and Kan will also discuss regional and
international issues like UN reforms for which both the
countries are pushing for their membership under the G-4
grouping. (More) PTI AKK
PBL


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