 "Singh to seek nuclear deal, investments during Japan visit")
The 'Look East' policy will have a new depth and meaning with his visit to Japan and Thailand, said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today. In a statement, prior to his departure to Japan and Thailand, the PM said that during this visit he wished to invigorate India's relations with Japan in the political, security and energy spheres.
"Japan is a key regional and global partner for India. There is a growing congruence in our interests and I see this relationship as an essential component of our vision for enduring stability and prosperity in Asia. In my Summit with the new government of Japan, led by my good friend Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, I will build on the momentum imparted by successive summits to the India-Japan Strategic and Global Partnership," he said.
On a three-day visit to Tokyo, Singh will make a strong pitch for elevating strategic ties and push for a bilateral pact on civil nuclear energy cooperation.
"It will be my effort to use this visit to strengthen our strategic and global partnership, which also includes trying to reach an agreement with regard to civil nuclear energy cooperation," Singh said.
Singh further added that they would explore ways to harness the full potential of our Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Partnership by intensifying and balancing two-way trade and investment linkages.
Further, he said that the visit will also allow the two governments to take stock of the progress in flagship projects, like the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor and the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor, and to facilitate bilateral engagement for meaningful and mutually beneficial association.
Apart from Japan, the PM will also be visiting Thailand. He explained that during his talks with Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, he would will carry forward the new dynamics in the relations since her milestone visit to India as the Chief Guest at our Republic Day in 2012. He also said that the visits to Japan and Thailand will contribute to peace, prosperity and stability in the Asia-Pacific.
"Thailand and India share centuries-old people-to-people, cultural and spiritual ties. Being maritime neighbours, we also share common interests in maritime security. Our defence and security cooperation with Thailand is progressing well and it will be my effort to further enhance it during my visit. As one of our top trade and investment partners in ASEAN, Thailand is an essential part of India’s integration with the region," the prime minister said.
The importance of Thailand for India, is also due to its potential of being a hub of connectivity between India and Southeast Asia. The Trilateral Highway project will connect Northeast India with Thailand through Myanmar and create avenues for commercial and cultural interaction. Further, Thailand is also a key component of India's sub-regional engagements in BIMST-EC (Bangladesh-India-Myanmar-Sri Lanka-Thailand – Economic Co-operation) and the Mekong Ganga Cooperation initiative.
BIMST-EC is an initiative for regional co-operation, that was first mooted in 1997. BIMST-EC has identified six sectors of focussed cooperation, that include trade & investment, technology, transport & communication, energy, tourism and fisheries.
The Mekong–Ganga Cooperation (MGC) was established in 2000 and comprises six member countries, namely India, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. MGC emphasises on four areas of cooperation, which are tourism, culture, education, and transportation linkage in order to be solid foundation for future trade and investment cooperation in the region.
"Japan is a key regional and global partner for India. There is a growing congruence in our interests and I see this relationship as an essential component of our vision for enduring stability and prosperity in Asia. In my Summit with the new government of Japan, led by my good friend Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, I will build on the momentum imparted by successive summits to the India-Japan Strategic and Global Partnership," he said.
On a three-day visit to Tokyo, Singh will make a strong pitch for elevating strategic ties and push for a bilateral pact on civil nuclear energy cooperation.
"It will be my effort to use this visit to strengthen our strategic and global partnership, which also includes trying to reach an agreement with regard to civil nuclear energy cooperation," Singh said.
Singh further added that they would explore ways to harness the full potential of our Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Partnership by intensifying and balancing two-way trade and investment linkages.
Further, he said that the visit will also allow the two governments to take stock of the progress in flagship projects, like the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor and the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor, and to facilitate bilateral engagement for meaningful and mutually beneficial association.
Apart from Japan, the PM will also be visiting Thailand. He explained that during his talks with Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, he would will carry forward the new dynamics in the relations since her milestone visit to India as the Chief Guest at our Republic Day in 2012. He also said that the visits to Japan and Thailand will contribute to peace, prosperity and stability in the Asia-Pacific.
"Thailand and India share centuries-old people-to-people, cultural and spiritual ties. Being maritime neighbours, we also share common interests in maritime security. Our defence and security cooperation with Thailand is progressing well and it will be my effort to further enhance it during my visit. As one of our top trade and investment partners in ASEAN, Thailand is an essential part of India’s integration with the region," the prime minister said.
The importance of Thailand for India, is also due to its potential of being a hub of connectivity between India and Southeast Asia. The Trilateral Highway project will connect Northeast India with Thailand through Myanmar and create avenues for commercial and cultural interaction. Further, Thailand is also a key component of India's sub-regional engagements in BIMST-EC (Bangladesh-India-Myanmar-Sri Lanka-Thailand – Economic Co-operation) and the Mekong Ganga Cooperation initiative.
BIMST-EC is an initiative for regional co-operation, that was first mooted in 1997. BIMST-EC has identified six sectors of focussed cooperation, that include trade & investment, technology, transport & communication, energy, tourism and fisheries.
The Mekong–Ganga Cooperation (MGC) was established in 2000 and comprises six member countries, namely India, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. MGC emphasises on four areas of cooperation, which are tourism, culture, education, and transportation linkage in order to be solid foundation for future trade and investment cooperation in the region.