The Hindu : Other States / Rajasthan News : Ambassador for closer Indo-Japan ties

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Saturday, Oct 16, 2004

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Ambassador for closer Indo-Japan ties

By Our Special Correspondent

JAIPUR, OCT. 15. Japan's Ambassador to India, Yasukuni Enoki, today underlined the need for a closer dialogue and enhanced cooperation among three important countries of Asia -- India, China and Japan -- saying they had an enormous potential for development of the continent. The three countries could improve their relations while maintaining political neutrality, he said.

Delivering a talk on Indo-Japan relations at the South Asia Studies Centre in Rajasthan University here, Mr. Enoki said his country had extended economic cooperation with India mainly in view of its strong democratic traditions, sustainability of development and resilience of economy. "We consider India an important partner in progress,'' he added.

Mr. Enoki said India and Japan had mutually agreed to support each other's claim for permanent seat in the Security Council. "Japan's support for India is the logical consequence of our recognition of India as the most important country in South Asia,'' he affirmed.

He said Japan had also made a request for being accorded the status of an observer of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation. "Though the Indian Government is cautious about this move, it reflects our peace consolidation diplomacy,'' he said while referring to the scope for integration of development potential of India with that of South-East Asian countries.

The Japanese envoy said his country was utilising all opportunities for international cooperation, besides the economic ventures, and had played an important role in restoration of peace by sending peace-keeping troops to Cambodia and East Timor. "Sri Lanka has also sought Japan's involvement in the peace talks to resolve its internal conflict,'' he said.

Mr. Enoki welcomed the peace talks between India and Pakistan and said an atmosphere of goodwill and harmony in South Asia would encourage the Japanese investors. He said the dispute between the two countries had earlier created an impression of South Asia being a "conflict region''.

Japan's bilateral trade with India was on a high footing, Mr. Enoki noted and said the future of cooperation between the two countries lay in the sectors such as information technology and engineering.

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