The Hindu Business Line : India proposes farm pact with Japan

INDIA proposed a limited agreement on agriculture with Japan, covering products of export interest, as a means to reversing the continuing stagnant trend in India's trade with Japan so as to step up bilateral trade on a mutually beneficial basis, particularly agri exports.

The Union Commerce and Industry Minister, Mr Kamal Nath, on a visit to Japan, conveyed this when he called on the Japanese Prime Minister, Mr Junichiro Koizumi, on Thursday at the latter's residence in Tokyo.

He said India and Japan could be the major drivers of economic development in the Asian region and the two countries should work in concert in the World Trade Organisation.

As the head of a large Indian business delegation, Mr Kamal Nath said the purpose was to apprise Japanese business community of the tremendous economic progress of India.

He also urged the Japanese government to be supportive to promote inflows into India.

During the discussions, Mr Koizumi indicated Japan's support for India on the United Nations Security Council.

Mr Kamal Nath said that Japan and India should become permanent members of the UN Security Council while underling the need for reform of the UN.

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