India, Japan urge denuclearization

India and Japan Prime Ministers in New Delhi (Pic: Reuters) 

India and Japan both emphasized their committment to the total elimination of nuclear weapons when their respective Prime Ministers, Manmohan Singh and Shinzo Abe, met on Saturday evening.

The meeting led to a 51-point statement that covered bilateral cooperation, economy, terrorism and United Nations reform.

Abe stressed the importance of bringing into force the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) while Singh reiterated India’s commitment to its unilateral and voluntary moratorium on nuclear explosive testing.

The two Premiers said they support the strengthening of international cooperation to address the challenges of nuclear proliferation and nuclear terrorism.

The Japan Premier recognized India’s sound non-proliferation record. Stressing the importance of nuclear safety, both the PMs reaffirmed the significance of civil nuclear cooperation between the two countries.

They also urged North Korea to move towards denuclearization and fully comply with its international obligations, including under all relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions.

“The two Prime Ministers expressed their concern over North Korea’s continued development of its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs, including its uranium enrichment activities,” a joint-statement issued by India and Japan said.

Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe reached India Saturday evening on a three-day state visit. Abe will be the first Japan Prime Minister to be a “chief guest” at India’s Republic Day celebrations to be held Sunday morning.

They also discussed defence cooperation, including joint-excercises, which a senior Indian official told Anadolu Agency is at a “preliminary stage”. They said the discussion to purchase the amphibian aircraft called ‘US-2’ is on the table and a joint working group will meet soon after Abe’s visit.

Japan is the fourth major investor in India. In the past 13 years, Japan has invested $15 billion through Foreign Direct Investment, 7% of the total FDI.

Anadolu Agency, January 25, 2014