Second boom? Backroom abuzz

After upgrading its ties with China, India is all set to adopt a similar course with the other East-Asian giant, Japan, as both sides give f...

After upgrading its ties with China, India is all set to adopt a similar course with the other East-Asian giant, Japan, as both sides give final touches to an eight-point declaration to be announced during Japanese Prime Minister Junichorio Koizumi8217;s two-day visit.

Japanese Ambassador in India, Yusukuni Enoki, also spoke of a proposed dialogue between National Security Advisor M.K. Naranayan and Yoriko Kawaguchi, Diplomatic Advisor to the Japanese PM and former foreign minister. The idea, Enoki said, is to give a 8216;8216;strategic orientation8217;8217; to the existing global partnership between both countries. 8216;8216;This dialogue will be open-ended and would discuss all issues.8217;8217;

Koizumi, who arrives on Thursday, will hold broad discussions with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on bilateral, as well as regional and global issues. This will include talks on UN reforms and expansion of the UN Security Council where both countries have been collaborating closely within the G-4 that has Germany and Brazil as its other members.

All four countries are aspirants to permanent seats in the UNSC and have agreed to extend mutual support. Enoki said the four countries are now in the process of finalising a resolution to be brought before the UN General Assembly. While maintaining that Japan is in favour of a permanent membership with veto powers, Enoki said, Tokyo would be 8216;8216;realistic8217;8217; and 8216;8216;flexible8217;8217; on the issue as it develops in New York.

On China8217;s opposition to Japan8217;s quest for UNSC membership and its seemingly more positive response to the Indian candidature, the Japanese Ambassador said all the G-4 countries have 8216;8216;troubling8217;8217; neighbours and that it only underlines the need to further 8216;8216;strengthen cooperation8217;8217; within the G-4.

Calling India an 8216;8216;emerging new superpower8217;8217; of Asia along with China and Japan, Enoki emphasized the support Tokyo extended to New Delhi for participating in the East Asian Summit proposed to be held in Malaysia in December. India, he pointed out, was the only country that satisfied all conditions to be included in the summit.

A host of bilateral measures are also being envisaged in the joint statement. This will include initiating an enhanced economic dialogue. A joint study group, set up for this purpose, will be asked to submit its report by this year-end.

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Enoki said they would decide on renewing an energy dialogue, besides agreeing on strengthening cooperation in maritime security. Japan is also keen on helping India to set up the first Indian Institute of IT.

Enoki hoped that India will move faster towards a more liberal FDI policy, opening doors for Japanese investment in the manufacturing sector. There was an investment boom in 1997 when Japan put in 500 million, and now, Enoki anticipated a 8216;8216;second investment boom8217;8217; in India.