Indian, Japanese officials meet to firm up strategic ties
By ANITuesday, July 6, 2010
NEW DELHI - A week after the first round of pioneering civil nuclear negotiations in Tokyo, India and Japan on Tuesday commenced senior official-level talks in New Delhi to enhance defence and foreign ties between the two countries.
Named as the “2+2 dialogue”, Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao and Defence Secretary Pradeep Kumar initiated discussions with Japan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kenichiro Sasae and Vice Minister for Defence, Kimito Nakae, on a host of strategic and defence issues.
Both the countries are looking at expanding cooperation in counter-terrorism and maritime security, and an exchange of views on a wide gamut of regional and international issues.
The dialogue was announced during the visit of then Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama to India in December 2009.
The successful completion of nuclear deal will enable the sale of advanced atomic technology to New Delhi by Japanese companies like Mitsubishi and Hitachi.(ANI)
