Indian PM to visit Japan, Thailand for cooperation

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is making a two-nation trip to Japan and Thailand to seek private investment and strong energy cooperation with both countries, a statement quoting foreign affairs ministry officials said here Saturday. Indian Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai said the premier visit to both countries will be on May 27-31 and that Singh will address a business meeting hosted by Kaidanren, the premier chamber of commerce and industry of Japan. "Later prime ministers of both countries will take stock of the India-Japan Strategic and Global Partnership, and will also discuss how to further strengthen it. This is the first occasion for the two Prime Ministers to meet after December 2012 general elections, in which Japan saw Prime Minister Abe and his party win office. The two Prime Ministers will discuss all issues in the bilateral relationship including political exchanges, high-level visits, the economic interaction, our defence cooperation and people-to-people ties, Mathai said. Both premiers will also discuss all major projects such as the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor, the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor, and the infrastructure upgradation process in the Chennai-Bangalore corridor. The Government of Japan is keen to showcase its high-speed rail technology or Shinkansen, which they would like us to consider. This is a subject which will be discussed," he added. The official said the Indian premier will also highlight major investment opportunities in India and seek greater Japanese private sector investments. "We see very good prospects for increasing Japanese investment in India," he added. The officials said there is a regular dialogue on energy between the two governments and Japan has recently made a breakthrough in the frozen seabed gas hydrates and their exploitation, which is of great interest to India. Regional and international issues besides cooperation in the field of security will be one of the subjects covered. Prime Minsiter Singh is also visiting Thiland during which he will have official talks with Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on bilateral, regional and multilateral issues of mutual interest. "We expect a number of documents to be signed and announcements to be made on new initiatives," Mathai said.