Japan-India summit aims for nuclear energy co-operation

TOKYO // India will work towards an agreement with Japan on nuclear energy cooperation during a visit this week to Tokyo by the prime minister.

"I do hope that we can make progress in civil nuclear energy cooperation," Manmohan Singh said in New Delhi on Saturday.

The Japanese prime minister, Shinzo Abe, is eager to promote sales of Japanese nuclear technology as part of Japan's push to expand exports, especially in emerging markets in Asia and the Middle East.

This month, Japan and India signed agreements on economic cooperation and investment, including multibillion-dollar plans for industrial corridors between New Delhi and Mumbai, and between Chennai and Bangalore. The two sides are also expected to discuss closer military ties.

Mr Singh originally had planned his visit for late last year. He postponed it because of a parliamentary election in December that returned Mr Abe's Liberal Democratic Party to power. The Indian prime minister arrives in Tokyo today and departs Thursday.

Japan's sales to India of nuclear equipment and technology have been hampered by sensitivity in Japan over India's past atomic tests and refusal to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

India has announced a moratorium on further nuclear testing, but Japan also wants a clearer commitment from New Delhi. The two sides are also working to decide on consequences should India conduct another nuclear test.