New Delhi, August 22
The visiting Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, created a record of sorts when he addressed a joint session of Parliament today, 50 years after his grandfather Nobusuke Kishi did so.
Meanwhile, Abe skipped any reference to the Indo-US nuclear deal. Japan is an important member of the 45-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group whose nod is mandatory for operationalisation of the deal.
Instead, his focus was on taking the Indo-Japan global and strategic partnership to a new level and deepening the economic cooperation between the two countries. He said Japan saw India as a partner.
Abe pointed out that Japanese public’s interest in India was growing and global partnership between India and Japan was pivotal to world security. Business and environment featured prominently on Japan PM’s speech. He said Japan wants to work with India to reduce greenhouse gases by 50 per cent by 2030 and that the two countries can lead the fight against climate change. Abe has come here with a 180-strong business delegation, comprising of top business honchos.
He also said a strong India was in Japan’s interests and that the country would invite 500 Indian students every year. Japan will also work towards setting up a dedicated fund for industrial corridor in India, Abe added.
Meanwhile, commerce and industries minister Kamal Nath today said the Indo-Japanese Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) had been put on “fast track” and would be finalised by the year-end. The minister told reporters that the CEPA was announced in December, 2006, after three rounds of talks in Tokyo and Delhi.
“We want to see that the agreement reaches its conclusion soon. For that reason we will hold two rounds of negotiations this year. The next round will be held in Japan and hope to see it conclude by December this year,” Nath said.
