Japanese PM hopes India will not test nuclear weapons

Tokyo, Oct 21 (PTI) Ahead of summit talks with Prime
Minister Manmohan Singh, Japanese Premier Taro Aso voiced hope
that India would stick to its unilateral moratorium on atomic
tests and "implement" commitments made to the Nuclear
Suppliers Group (N.S.G.) for securing the waiver that ended
its 34-year nuclear apartheid.

Aso also expressed confidence that Singh's visit to
Japan will give a "renewed momentum" to the enhancement of
bilateral relations.

"Japan thinks the most important thing is that, in
order to maintain and strengthen the international non-
proliferation system, India will implement its commitments and
actions which presuppose the N.S.G. Statement, including the
continuation of its unilateral moratorium on nuclear testing,"
Aso told PTI in an e-mail interview.

Singh and Aso are due to meet here Wednesday.

The Japanese government had boldly supported the
Indo-U.S. civil nuclear deal at the Nuclear Suppliers Group
despite a public outcry in the only nation to have suffered
atomic bombings during World War II.

Though Aso did not directly respond to whether Tokyo
would allow Japanese nuclear power companies to engage in
nuclear commerce with India, he highlighted that Japanese
nuclear power industry was strong and had proven credentials.

"Japan has pursued steadily the construction of
nuclear power plants, while making an effort to conform with
and ensure 3S, i.e. Non-proliferation/Safeguards, Nuclear
Safety and Nuclear Security, and seeking international
understanding and trust," the Japanese Premier said.

"Japan's nuclear industry, which has a solid record of
constructing power plants even during difficult times for the
industry, is one of the most experienced and the most advanced
industries," Aso said.

"I think this forthcoming visit of Prime Minister
Singh will be a significant opportunity for stock-taking of
the various endeavours the two countries have already
undertaken under their leaders' initiatives, as well as to
demonstrate the initiatives that are currently underway in
various fields including security cooperation," he said.

Aso said the establishment of the 'Japan-India Global
Partnership' in 2000 made the two countries recognise the
potential of their cooperation in every field including trade
and investment, economic assistance, and cultural exchange.

Since then, through summit meetings between the two
countries, Japan and India have confirmed the importance of
working together to tackle regional and international issues
as two major Asian countries sharing basic values and common
interests, Aso, a former Japanese Foreign Minister, who was
elevated as Prime Minister last month, said.

"Today, in order to achieve their common goals of
realising regional and international peace and prosperity,
Japan and India are strengthening their cooperation on various
issues including the formation of the East Asia Community,
U.N. Security Council reform, Anti-Terrorism, and Maritime
Security."

He also noted that Tokyo and New Delhi were actively
engaged in enhancing their bilateral relations in areas like
political, security, economic, people-to-people exchange, and
academic exchange. PTI