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Japan seeks new ties with India Japan seeks new ties with India
(about 4 hours later)
Japanese PM Shinzo Abe has stressed the need for a strategic and global partnership with India to strengthen ties between the two countries.Japanese PM Shinzo Abe has stressed the need for a strategic and global partnership with India to strengthen ties between the two countries.
He told the Indian parliament that Japan had "rediscovered" India as a "partner and friend".He told the Indian parliament that Japan had "rediscovered" India as a "partner and friend".
Mr Abe is also due to hold talks with Indian PM Manmohan Singh and will sign a series of major agreements, mainly aimed at doubling bilateral trade.Mr Abe is also due to hold talks with Indian PM Manmohan Singh and will sign a series of major agreements, mainly aimed at doubling bilateral trade.
They are also expected to hold talks on civilian nuclear and defence deals.They are also expected to hold talks on civilian nuclear and defence deals.
Analysts say India and Japan are fostering a strategic relationship which many believe is aimed at countering China.Analysts say India and Japan are fostering a strategic relationship which many believe is aimed at countering China.
I am also convinced this strengthening of ties will serve world peace Shinzo Abe Japan seeks wider defence links Japan woos India
Mr Abe, who began his first ever visit to India on Tuesday, is the first foreign leader to address India's parliament since former US President Bill Clinton in 2000.Mr Abe, who began his first ever visit to India on Tuesday, is the first foreign leader to address India's parliament since former US President Bill Clinton in 2000.
"Relations between the two countries now are much deeper and broader and have no comparison to what they were five decades ago," Mr Abe said on Tuesday night. Earlier, Mr Abe said that ties between the two countries were stronger than ever.
"Relations between the two countries now are much deeper and broader and have no comparison to what they were five decades ago," he said on Tuesday night.
"I am also convinced this strengthening of ties will serve world peace," he was quoted as telling diplomats by AFP news agency."I am also convinced this strengthening of ties will serve world peace," he was quoted as telling diplomats by AFP news agency.
Trade priorityTrade priority
Mr Abe has arrived at the head of a major business delegation, including chief executives of Japanese companies such as Toyota, Mitsubishi, Canon and Hitachi.Mr Abe has arrived at the head of a major business delegation, including chief executives of Japanese companies such as Toyota, Mitsubishi, Canon and Hitachi.
Trade is the main focus of the visit - it stands at nearly $7bn at present but a study by India's main Chambers of Commerce suggests it can be doubled in five years.Trade is the main focus of the visit - it stands at nearly $7bn at present but a study by India's main Chambers of Commerce suggests it can be doubled in five years.
Both governments will announce a plan to jointly develop an ambitious manufacturing and freight corridor between Delhi and the financial capital, Mumbai, rather like that between Tokyo and Osaka.Both governments will announce a plan to jointly develop an ambitious manufacturing and freight corridor between Delhi and the financial capital, Mumbai, rather like that between Tokyo and Osaka.
It will include a high-speed railway line, several ports and airports.It will include a high-speed railway line, several ports and airports.
But perhaps the most significant aspect of the visit is development of a strategic partnership.But perhaps the most significant aspect of the visit is development of a strategic partnership.
Japan was severely critical of India's nuclear tests in 1998 and suspended economic ties in its wake, but now it is willing to discuss co-operation in the field of civilian nuclear technology and even defence.Japan was severely critical of India's nuclear tests in 1998 and suspended economic ties in its wake, but now it is willing to discuss co-operation in the field of civilian nuclear technology and even defence.
Mr Abe favours an alliance between Japan, Australia, the United States and India, something that is of concern to China.Mr Abe favours an alliance between Japan, Australia, the United States and India, something that is of concern to China.