Singh, Abe hold extensive talks on bilateral, global issues

India and Japan today discussed ways to enhance defence, security and economic cooperation during the "comprehensive" summit meeting between Manmohan Singh and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe, who also announced a loan of USD 2 billion for Delhi Metro.
The two leaders held extensive talks on bilateral, regional and global issues after which Abe, at a joint media event said, Indo-Japan strategic and global partnership has the "largest potential" than any other bilateral relationship in the world.
During the visit of Abe, who is the chief guest at 65th Republic Day parade tomorrow, the two countries also inked as many as eight agreements including for promoting tourism, enhancing energy efficiency in telecom towers and for power generation in India.

"We noted with satisfaction the growing frequency of our political engagement and our expanding defence and security cooperation. Our bilateral maritime exercises have now been established on an annual basis and we have welcomed Japan's participation in the Malabar exercise this year," Singh said.
Terming Japan as a "key partner" in economic development, Singh observed "the partnership between a strong and economically resurgent Japan and a transforming and rapidly growing India can be an effective force of good for the region" and said he has sought more Japanese investments in the country.
Coming against the backdrop of tensions between Japan and China over a group of disputed islands in the East China Sea, Abe's India visit and its outcome is also expected to be keenly watched by the Chinese government.

At the joint media event, Singh said, "Our negotiations towards an Agreement for Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy have gained momentum in the last few months. Our Joint Working Group on US-2 amphibian aircraft has met to explore the modalities of cooperation on its use and co- production in India.
"More broadly, we are working towards increasing our cooperation in the area of advanced technologies. I reviewed with Prime Minister Abe the current status of these transformative projects and shared my expectations with him.