New Delhi
21 August 2010
While Tokyo might not insist that New Delhi "refrain absolutely" from conducting
a nuclear test in future, visiting Japanese foreign minister Katsuya Okada said here
Saturday that a bilateral civil nuclear cooperation agreement being negotiated by both
countries will be "suspended" if India were to conduct a nuclear test.
Addressing a joint press conference with External affairs minister SM Krishna towards
the end of the fourth round of the India-Japan strategic dialogue, Mr Okada -- who was
speaking with the help of a translator -- said he was not in a position to say anything
definitive on the terms of the bilateral pact because only one round of negotiations had
taken place so far.
However, he indicated that the agreement would be worded in a manner that Japan's
concerns about non-proliferation and nuclear disarmament would be "built in" it. In view
of the domestic criticism about the contours of a nuclear pact with a non-NPT signatory
such as India, the agreement being negotiated can be expected to mention signing and
ratification of CTBT by India and agreeing to an FMCT.
The Japanese minister went on to suggest that while his country appreciated India's non-
proliferation efforts and its desire for a nuclear-weapon free world, he would have to
"very candidly" admit that the decision to start negotiations with India for a bilateral civil
nuclear cooperation pact was one of the toughest decisions he has had to take as foreign
minister.
Both Mr Krishna and Mr Okada mentioned that neither side was insisting on a timeline
for the conclusion of the nuclear pact. In his opening statement, Mr Krishna said, "We do
not intend to set a timeline". For his part, Mr Okada said in response to a question that
there was "no specific deadline" for the conclusion of the agreement.
Tokyo has removed 11 Indian entities from its end user List, which New Delhi hopes
would provide a big boost to high technology trade between their two countries.
New Delhi has accepted Tokyo's proposal for a meeting of the G-4 (Group of Four; India,
Japan, Germany and Brazil) foreign ministers at New York in September on the sidelines
of the United Nations General Assembly session.
Both sides also decided to launch a new "Dialogue on Africa" so that they could
synergise their developmental efforts in that continent.
// Box //
Addressing a joint press conference with his Japanese counterpart here
Saturday, External affairs minister SM Krishna said India's position on the issue of the
Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama has been conveyed repeatedly, unequivocally
and categorically to China, that Indians regarded the Dalai Lama as an honoured guest
and a spiritual leader.
Mr Krishna said India did not encourage the Tibetan spiritual leader to enter into political
activities as might affect the Sino-Indian bilateral ties. It was also made abundantly clear
to Chinese foreign minister Yang Jiechi that India considered the Tibet Autonomous
Region as a part of China, and therefore curtain should be brought down on any
controversy.
The minister was responding to a question about an Indian media report which said
China has objected to the August 11 meeting between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh
and the Dalai Lama. According to the report, the protests were conveyed this week
through diplomatic channels.
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