Closer ties focus of PM’s visit to Japan, Thailand

With a heavy accent on strategic content and a keen intent to expand energy and economic ties Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will begin this three-day visit to Japan from Monday. He will also be in Thailand on May 30 to 31 and the long awaited extradition treaty between the two countries will be signed during the visit.

With a heavy accent on strategic content and a keen intent to expand energy and economic ties Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will begin this three-day visit to Japan from Monday. He will also be in Thailand on May 30 to 31 and the long awaited extradition treaty between the two countries will be signed during the visit.

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Singh will hold talks with his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe on a wide spectrum of issues of mutual interest and discuss ways to bolster strategic and global partnership between the two countries, foreign secretary Ranjan Mathai said.

Abe is known for his strong views on Japan's territorial disputes with China and has remained an ardent supporter of greater India-Japan strategic ties.

China and Japan are engaged in a fierce territorial dispute over Senkaku islands. The two sides would also discuss the South China sea issue and the regional security architecture.

Energy and economic ties form a vital part of Singh agenda in Japan. Both leaders are set to affirm their commitment for the early conclusion of the bilateral civil nuclear cooperation pact.

"Discussions have given some impetus recently. There are a number of stages we have to go through before we reach the signature. I can't put a date on it. We would certainly like to conclude this", Mathai said about the nuclear pact.

The two sides are also have seen cooperation in gas sector and India is eyeing for greater Japanese investment in India. The two sides are also looking at signing pacts in the fields of education and tourism.