Indo-Pak tension due to terrorism: Japan

New Delhi knows that Tanaka is an influential figure in Tokyo, since he was by the side of Japanese Prime Minister Koizumi during his pathbreaking visit to North Korea last autumn. Earlier the director-general of the Asia desk in the Foreign Office in Tokyo, Tanaka8217;s successes have landed him this key job.

Significantly, both sides are also likely to touch upon the proposed wording of the India-Pakistan paragraph that will be part of the G-8 summit in early June in Evian, France. And although France as the host country is in direct touch with New Delhi on this issue, diplomatic sources here said, all G-8 countries 8212; of which Japan is a key member 8212; are said to be keeping themselves abreast of this story.

The diplomats pointed out that G-8 talks are only at a 8216;8216;preparatory stage8217;8217; at this moment, what with the world8217;s consuming interest in Iraq, but it would be more than likely that the G-8 would continue to emphasise the sanctity of the Line of Control.

Tokyo8217;s growing warmth signals a major shift in Japan8217;s policy towards India, which was earlier exclusively focused on the nuclear tension with Islamabad. And although that issue will also come up in talks with Sibal, both sides agree it is high time they moved on.

One consequence of this changing perception is Japan8217;s determination in principle to increase its Overseas Development Aid ODA to India, from the 900 million announced by Foreign Minister Kawaguchi in January. An influential section in Tokyo believes that Japan must divert some of the large amounts of aid it gives China towards 8216;8216;democratic8217;8217; India.

In the coming fiscal year, Tokyo is likely to decide it will continue to fund Line 3 of the Delhi Metro for example, thereby voting with both its feet on the 8216;8216;development8217;8217; of a Third World country like India.