The global economic crisis is likely to top the agenda at the summit-level talks between prime minister Manmohan singh and his Japanese counterpart Taro Aso on Wednesday.
TOKYO: The global economic crisis is likely to top the agenda at the summit-level talks between prime minister Manmohan singh and his Japanese counterpart Taro Aso on Wednesday.
Officials accompanying the prime minister described the situation as an “international crisis that has changed the international landscape”.
The highlight of the visit, however, will be the signing of the agreement for the 1,469-km dedicated freight corridor between Mumbai and Delhi, and the eastern corridor between Ludhiana (Punjab) and Sonnagar (Bihar). This strategic economic partnership, India and Japan hope, will cement their relationship.
“The pact will bring billions of dollars in investment from Japan and has the capacity to transform the Indian landscape,” an Indian official gushed. He indicated a package to exclusively fund the project was in the offing.
It is also likely that India and Japan may sign a security agreement that will allow the Indian Navy to patrol the Strait of Hormuz. This will also benefit Japanese tankers carrying crude oil to safely sail through the Indian Ocean. In return, Tokyo will ensure the safety of Indian ships in the Sakhalin region.
However, a similar agreement on the economic front may not happen, given the Japanese reluctance on the issue. “They have certain reservations and we are prepared to wait. We are for a phased approach,” a senior official accompanying the PM said.
Despite Japan’s reluctance to provide India access to its agricultural and pharmaceutical markets, New Delhi continues to believe their relations have undergone a qualitative change. They point to the fact that Japan, though sensitive on the issue of nuclear cooperation, helped the clearance of the Indo-US nuclear deal at the Nuclear Suppliers Group.
To emphasise their point, Indian officials point out that the freight corridors will make India the second country after China with which Japan has decided to forge a long-term relationship, both strategic and economic.
“We are now being treated as a serious economic partner,” an Indian official said, pointing to the decision of the top Japanese chamber of commerce, Keidanren, whose members include blue-chip firms such as Mitsui, Mitsubishi, Honda, Toyota, Sony, etc, to invite the PM for lunch.
j_ansari@dnaindia.net
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}