NEW DELHI, May 26 � Major infrastructure projects, fresh investments, civil nuclear cooperation, boosting connectivity between South and South East Asia via the North Eastern States, as part of �Look East Policy� are high on the agenda of Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh who will tour Japan and Thailand from Monday.
Japan is keen to showcase its Shinkansen system, the high speed rail technology, while India is eyeing the Japanese technology of exploiting frozen sea-bed gas hydrates. Japan has recently made a breakthrough in exploiting the frozen seabed gas hydrates.
The Prime Minister�s visit has significant political dimensions, as well, because of Tokyo�s standoff with China over the Senkaku Islands. India on the other hand, also has a long-standing boundary dispute with China. The two Prime Ministers are likely to take stock of the India-Japan Strategic and Global Partnership, and also discuss ways to further strengthen it.
Talking to Japanese media on the eve of his departure, the Prime Minister said that India requires robust participation of Japanese business, Japanese industries in India�s economic development.
�Today we have more Japanese companies operating in India than ever before. But in terms of their contribution to Indian growth process, much needs to be done. And I see an enormous role for the Japanese industry to contribute not only to infrastructure development of India, but also to accelerate the tempo of manufacturing sector in India�s economy,� he said.
Interestingly, Japan is keen to showcase its high-speed rail technology or Shinkansen. Tokyo wants India to consider the Shinkansen system.
Confirming that the project was under consideration, the Prime Minister said that Indian Railways have looked into the possibility of High Speed Rail (HSR) corridors for passenger traffic in their long term perspective plans. �Japan�s Shinkansen system is well known for its efficiency and safety record. Such capital-intensive projects will be considered in accordance with our infrastructure requirement, national priorities and financial resources,� he said.
Meanwhile, connectivity would be the top priority when Dr Singh meets Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra. �We expect a number of documents to be signed and announcements to be made on new initiatives,� said Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai.
�Thailand is also an important component of our Look East Policy. We have covered ground to achieve progress in key areas such as security cooperation, economic relations and connectivity�, said Mathai.
