Indian PM seeks to strengthen ties with Japan

Visiting Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said here Tuesday that his country seeks greater political and economic cooperation with Japan. Singh said in a speech that India and Japan are "natural and indispensible" partners in seeking peace and stability, adding he will talk about accelerating bilateral economic cooperation and deepening dialogue on regional issues during a meeting with his Japanese counterpart. The premier also said the two countries should intensify bilateral political communication and expend strategic consultations on issues of mutual interests. Japan is the only country with which India has held a "two- plus-two" meeting of foreign and defense ministers, the Indian leader emphasized. In a luncheon with Japanese business leaders Tuesday, Singh said that he hopes Japanese companies to provide investment in India's infrastructure so as to boost bilateral economic cooperation. Singh, who arrived at Japan Monday, is in a four-day visit here and he will hold talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe Wednesday.