India ready to strike civilian nuclear deal with Japan+

NEW DELHI, Oct. 24 Kyodo -
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said Saturday he is ready to conclude a
civilian nuclear energy agreement during his trip to Japan from Sunday.
''I am confident that we will be able to conclude an agreement, which will be a
win-win proposition for both of us. We have not laid down any deadline for
concluding these negotiations,'' Singh told a group of Japanese media before
leaving New Delhi for a three-day visit to Tokyo where he will meet with
Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan, among others.
Singh said India would like Japan to be its partner in nuclear energy as it is
aware of the advanced capabilities of Japanese firms in the nuclear field and
the important role they play in the global supply chain.
He is also looking to sign a comprehensive economic partnership agreement with
Japan, which he said would open up the fast-expanding Indian market to Japanese
firms and facilitate the flow of Japanese investment in India's growing
infrastructure.
Singh sees an ''enormous'' possibility for India, Japan and China to work
together for the prosperity of Asia.
Claiming India has an ''impeccable'' record on nonproliferation, Singh assured
India is committed to maintaining a ''unilateral and voluntary'' moratorium on
explosive nuclear testing.
''We are ready to work with Japan and other like-minded countries in realizing
the vision of a nuclear weapon-free world,'' Singh told the journalists.
On the maritime dispute between Japan and China in the East China Sea, Singh
said interstate relations must be based on five principles of peaceful
coexistence.
''In this context, we also approach our relations with China, with whom we have
established a strategic and cooperative partnership,'' Singh said.
Outlining fields of cooperation, Singh said India and Japan can cooperate in
the areas of civilian nuclear energy, clean coal technology, renewable energy
resources and infrastructure, among others, as the ''two friendly nations''
have multifaceted relations.
==Kyodo
2010-10-24 21:31:44


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