Front Page
India, Japan vow to fight terrorism
By Neena Vyas
TOKYO, DEC 10. India and Japan have smartly side-stepped their differences on nuclear issues to put them firmly behind and look forward to taking bilateral relations to a qualitative new level that will mean the continuation of a comprehensive dialogue, covering all security-related issues and the forging of a new trust at the political level.
The 11-page Joint Declaration which came at the end of today's hectic round of meeting was more than just positive. It talked about India and Japan working together for stability and prosperity in Asia, regularly exchanging views in all security-related matters, increasing military-to-military contacts, and more important, working for the total elimination of terrorism in all regions, while extending the fight against terrorism to those who provide support and sustenance and safe haven to terrorists.
Although neither Kashmir nor Pakistan was mentioned, the formulation in the declaration made it clear that India's point of view had been adequately reflected. Importantly, it talked about strengthening the international legal framework against terrorism. The declaration spelt out the intent of the two countries to promote exchanges in defence and institutionalise the recently-started dialogue on security matters by a commitment to an annual dialogue at an appropriate high level.
The sticky points related to the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty and non-proliferation of nuclear weapons were circumvented. India would continue to try for a national consensus on the CTBT even as it would not stand in the way of the entry-into-force clause of that treaty.
It would also continue its unilateral moratorium on nuclear testing while committing itself to implement export control. On non-proliferation, it was emphasised that both sides would continue to make efforts to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. The two countries also wanted negotiations for a treaty to ban the production of fissile material.
Offers to clean Ganga
PTI reports:
Japan has offered assistance to clean up the Ganga and the Yamuna rivers, Mr. A.B. Vajpayee said today. ``The Prime Minister (of Japan) has offered help in de-polluting the two rivers,'' Mr. Vajpayee told reporters here.
* * *
`Success beyond expectations'
TOKYO, DEC. 10. India and Japan today broadly agreed that any future government in Afghanistan should be broadbased and fully representative of different ethnic and religious groups.
The Minister of State for External Affairs, Mr. Omar Abdullah, said the meeting between the two was successful beyond expectations. What the two countries had committed themselves to was the strengthening of a global strategic partnership.
That Japan did not beat about the bush in talking against the terrorists who had been trying to hide behind the shadow of a so-called freedom struggle, was a good sign he said.
India thanked Japan for removing the sanctions imposed in the wake of Pokhran-II tests and placed on record its appreciation of Japan's proven generosity. The ghosts that had haunted the bilateral relations recently had thus been exorcised, clearing the way for a qualitatively new level of relationship. The declaration recognised unbounded opportunities in the Information Technology and Communications sectors if the two countries were to come together in this area.
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Front Page
|
