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Friday, Aug 17, 2007
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Abe to discuss timetable for strategic ties

Sandeep Dikshit

Focus will be on economic relations

Defence Minister Koike arrives on the concluding day of Abe’s visit
Two sides expected to review progress of idea on Council expansion

NEW DELHI: India and Japan will discuss the timetable for implementing a strategic relationship during Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s visit next week.

The two countries had resolved to enter into such a partnership, which will cover security, space, joint science and technology research and deeper economic ties, during the previous Prime Minister-level meeting last year.

The threads of a closer defence relationship will be picked up by Japanese Defence Minister Yuriko Koike, who arrives on the concluding day of Mr. Abe’s visit, senior Japanese diplomatic sources told The Hindu.

“The purpose of Mr. Abe’s visit is to agree on a road map for implementing the strategic partnership agreed upon last December. That was based on an agreement on a global partnership with strategic orientation during the then Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi’s visit in 2005. The two Prime Ministers will talk and agree on the road map based on last year’s agreement,” said senior Japanese diplomat Ryoichi Horie.

The two sides are also expected to review the progress of their initiative along with Germany and Brazil (G-4) for expansion of the United Nations Security Council.

Annual basis

Mr. Ryoichi Horie pointed out that this was the first visit after the two Prime Ministers agreed to visit each other’s country on an annual basis.

Interestingly, Mr. Abe arrives exactly 50 years after his grandfather and then Prime Minister Nobusuke Kishi was given the honour of addressing people from the ramparts of the Red Fort.

The gesture was reciprocated with India becoming the first (and now the biggest recipient) of Overseas Development Assistance from Japan a year later. Breaking new ground as his grandfather did, Mr. Abe will be the first Japanese Prime Minister to address Parliament.

Nuclear deal

Though the nuclear deal will be the focus of media attention during Mr. Abe’s visit from August 21, Japan is reluctant to dwell much on the subject.

“Japan very well understands the importance of nuclear cooperation for India. Still we are watching the developments of India’s negotiations with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) [on surveillance for new nuclear facilities] and discussions with the Nuclear Suppliers Group. There is a feeling in Japan against nuclear weapons and we know it is a civil nuclear deal. Still it is very delicate politically,” Mr. Ryoichi Horie said.

Trade ties

With trade with Japan not having made rapid advances as China and South Korea, Mr. Abe’s focus will be on revitalising the economic ties. “You can say there will be a second wave of Japanese investment,” the diplomat said, adding that over the past two years several Japanese corporate heads had visited the country and were firming up investment decisions.

Mr. Abe will be accompanied by 160 businesspersons, who will be joined by 40 Japanese counterparts posted in India.

At the State-level, both countries have held four rounds of discussions on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement to remove irritants in areas such as market access, tax systems and foreign investments. One area of focus will be the Delhi-Mumbai industrial belt project.

“The Japanese Government understands the importance of the project for the growth and development of the Indian economy. The world has been watching the growth of information technology in India but the development of the manufacturing industry is very important for sustaining development and growth and generating employment,” the diplomat said.

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