Notwithstanding differences over nuclear non-proliferation, India and Japan on Wednesday discussed broad parametres of a security dialogue and agreed to intensify efforts to further consolidate bilateral economic ties. Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori, who was accorded a ceremonial reception at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan Wednesday morning, held wide-ranging discussions with external affairs minister Jaswant Singh. Sharing concern over the scourge of international terrorism, the two sides underscored the need for joint efforts to combat this menace. On the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) issue, Singh maintained that India would continue its voluntary moratorium on nuclear tests, a commitment it had made soon after the Pokhran nuclear explosions. Singh apprised Mori of government's efforts at evolving a political consensus on the CTBT issue. Mori told reporters at Rashtrapati Bhavan that Tokyo was keen to give further impetus to Indo-Japan relations and make them more closer.
Bureau Report