The need for strengthening
bilateral trade and economic relations between India and Japan
was stressed here today when Mr. Tadakatsu Sano, Vice Minister
for International Affairs, Ministry of Economy, Trade & Industry
of Japan, accompanied by the Japanese Ambassador to India called
on Shri Arun Shourie, Minister for Disinvestment and Commerce
& Industry. Shri Shourie stressed the need for building up
bilateral ties, which, he said, would facilitate cooperation between
the two countries in the multilateral forum as well.
Mr. Sano, who is
here in connection with the 3rd India-Japan Investment
Dialogue, said that Japan was looking forward to the participation
of India in the WTO mini ministerial meeting scheduled to be held
in Tokyo on 15 & 16 February 2003. While the agenda of the
Tokyo meet would be finalised in consultation with the participating
member countries at the meeting, Mr. Sano indicated that the agenda
being contemplated would include market access in agriculture
and services, rules, anti-dumping and the Singapore issues such
as investment and competition policy. Expressing Japan’s disappointment
with the lack of progress in the WTO on the TRIPs and Public Health
issues, he said the agenda of the Tokyo mini ministerial would
be aimed at ensuring the success of the Cancun Conference and
the success of the Doha Round.
Stating that it would
be in the mutual interest of both India and Japan to foster closer
ties, Shri Shourie said "for us Japan is a by-word for quality,
excellence and reliability… We must work together as much more
can be done and not just by way of Japanese assistance to India"
so as to tap more fully the existing trade and investment opportunities.
On the post-Doha negotiations, Shri Shourie pointed out that "unless
there is progress in areas of concern to us, it would be difficult
for the developing countries to make adjustments that are required
in the process of multilateral trade negotiations".
Mr. Sano indicated
that his team had a useful dialogue on investment lasting for
over four hours with the Indian delegation, earlier in the day,
which was headed by Shri V. Govindarajan, Secretary (Industrial
Policy & Promotion). The Japanese delegation also expressed
satisfaction at the successful launch of the metro rail in Delhi
and hailed it as a symbol of Indo-Japanese cooperation.
