New Delhi - Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday
embarked on a trip to Japan and China, where he was scheduled to
attend the seventh Asia-Europe summit.
During his official engagements in Japan, which begin Wednesday,
Singh is to hold talks with the country's new prime minister, Taro
Aso, to assess the global economic crisis and ways to deal with it.
The two leaders were also to discuss cooperation on political and
security issues and hold talks to finalize a broad-based economic
partnership.
'I consider our bilateral relations with Japan to be one of the
most important bilateral relationships we have,' Singh said in a
departure statement before he left for Tokyo.
'A strong India-Japan relationship will play a significant role in
the emerging Asian security architecture and will contribute to the
peace, stability and prosperity of Asia and the world,' Singh added.
During his three-day visit, Singh was also to call on Emperor
Akhito and Empress Michiko and address a gathering of Japan's
business leaders.
On the second leg of his five-day trip, Singh is to travel to
Beijing for the 45-nation Asia-Europe summit, to be held Friday and
Saturday.
It is for the first time that India has been invited to the
summit, which is to focus on enhancing dialogue between Asia and
Europe on issues that include trade, security and terrorism, climate
change and nuclear non-proliferation.
Countries that are to attend include China, Japan, South Korea,
India, Mongolia, Pakistan, the 10 nations of the Association of
South-East Asian Nations, the 27 nations of the European Union and
the European Commission.
Besides holding bilateral talks with Chinese President Hu Jintao
on the sidelines of the summit, Singh is to also meet with other
world leaders, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Italian
Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.
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