New Delhi, August 22
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh tonight exuded confidence that turbulence over the nuclear deal will be overcome, saying “if winter comes, will spring be far behind?”

The Prime Minister, during his joint press conference with his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe at Hyderabad House after their delegation-level and one-on-one talks, said: “Certainly, there is some turbulence here in Delhi but I am confident that we shall overcome it.”

The Japanese PM is understood to have assured Manmohan Singh of his country’s support to the deal at the NSG. However, at the press conference his response was a bit guarded. He said Japan appreciated and understood the energy needs of India and at the same time was concerned on the issue of non-proliferation.

Abe said it was essential for India to first sign an India-specific safeguards agreement with the IAEA and approach the NSG and at that time Tokyo would consider the issue.

Manmohan Singh was asked how India could reach the NSG and sign up with the IAEA in view of the unequivocal warnings by the Left parties. He said it was a “naughty” question and responded “If winter comes, will summer be far behind?”

This is the first time when the Prime Minister has broken his silence on the stand-off with the Left.

The two PMs set forth a roadmap for new dimensions to the strategic and global partnership. The two sides covered a wide gamut of issues, including economic and security matters, developmental projects and climate change.

The two leaders welcomed the agreement in principle on the bilateral currency swap arrangement which aimed at addressing short-term liquidity difficulties and supplementing the existing international financial arrangements. They hoped that this arrangement would promote the financial cooperation between India and Japan.

The two countries decided to double their trade worth $ 10 billion by 2010. Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, while addressing Japanese business delegates, said: “Today, the Indian economy is in a position to sustain GDP growth rates that are close to 9%. Foreign exchange reserves stand at $ 200 billion. We expect to receive foreign direct investment of about $ 30 billion this year. Our savings and investment rates are above 30%. Our foreign trade constitutes 33% of our GDP, which is a testimony to India's growing integration into the global economy. We have a very favourable demographic profile and a strong educational system to support rapid industrialisation.

It is against this backdrop that the two Prime Ministers established the India-Japan business leaders forum.