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India, Japan bury Pokhran to become 'global partners'

In a major boost to their bilateral relations, India and Japan Wednesday decided to become "global partners" to work for peace, development and security. And as a first step in this direction, New Delhi said it would not stand in the way of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.

The new partnership, which is likely to give a fresh impetus to the relations between the two countries, which have remained lukewarm after the Pokhran nuclear tests, emerged at a meeting between Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and his Japanese counterpart Yoshiro Mori in New Delhi.

Later talking to reporters, Vajpayee said: "As a result of this cooperation, bilateral relations have acquired a new dimension and depth. We are looking at regional and international interests."

Mori on his part hailed the pact as historical and said: "Japan and India have become global partners from today."

Responding to Mori's sentiments on nuclear non-proliferation, Vajpayee said India had imposed a moratorium on further tests. "'We are also in the process of building a consensus on CTBT," he added.

Addressing a press conference after the talks, External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh said the two leaders also held discussions on the Kashmir issue as well as terrorism.

Vajpayee told Mori that India was not against resumption of dialogue with Pakistan, but certain ingredients were necessary for initiating this process, including creation of a conducive atmosphere.

The prime minister also conveyed his views on "wanton terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir and killing of innocent people."

Referring to the global partnership, Jaswant Singh described it as "multi-faceted" and said it would enable exchanges between the two countries at the highest level.

Vajpayee has been invited to visit Japan in the first quarter of 2001.

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