[During Shinzo Abe's visit (first, at least as the Japanese PM) to India in last January, as the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations, it had been widely predicted that the "deal" would be clinched. (See, for example: < http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2014/01/25/world/abe-genda-nuclear-export-superpower/#.UuSGH2SmrR1 >.) But, eventually, that didn't happen. (The para 32 & 33 of the joint statement issued (<www.mofa.go.jp/files/000025064.pdf>) are relevant.) That India is not a signatory to the NPT has long been a sticking point with Japan. Abe, a die-hard rightwinger unabashedly championing the cause of the Japanese nuclear industries, of course appears bent upon diluting Japan's original stand. Yet domestic opinion in Japan is a limiting factor. (Even Abe's wife had publicly opposed the "deal".)
Even this time expectations have been stirred up, see the report reproduced below at sl.no.II. But another (more recent) news story, the relevant portion reproduced at sl. no. I below, gives a diametrically opposite picture. Japan is seeing strong public protests against the reported move. (See: < http://www.pressenza.com/2014/08/scrap-japan-india-nuclear-agreement/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+pressenza%2FQrjW+%28News+from+Pressenza+IPA+in+English%29 >.) So it remains to be seen whether Abe can overcome stiff public opposition this time round.] I/II. http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/seven-things-to-watch-out-for-during-pm-narendra-modis-japan-visit/articleshow/40986975.cms?curpg=2 Seven things to watch out for during PM Narendra Modi's Japan visit By ET Bureau | 27 Aug, 2014, 01.56PM IST ..... 7. While civilian nuclear deal may not [be] concluded in this trip owing to differences over 'no-test' clause in the agreement, Modi will reiterate India's commitment to disarmament and moratorium on nuclear tests during the banquet speech. A significant defence agreement on upgrading the dialogue mechanism and expanding the scope of cooperation to increase drills and exercises are on the cards. II. http://indiainbusiness.nic.in/newdesign/index.php?param=newsdetail/8763 *Nuclear deal, defence pacts to top PM's Japan visit* New Delhi, Aug 16: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Japan from August 31 to September 3 with a power-packed agenda that might see both sides signing the long-pending civil nuclear cooperation deal. "India and Japan have a strategic and global partnership. The visit of the prime minister to Japan will further strengthen the bond of friendship between India and Japan," stated the ministry of external affairs here on Friday. During the three-day visit, Modi is expected to meet Japanese emperor Akihito and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Modi and Abe are expected to meet on September 1 and discuss a wide range of issues concerning bilateral and strategic ties. "The government of Japan sincerely welcomes the visit of (India's) prime minister, which will further strengthen the friendly relations between Japan and India," the Japan Embassy stated. The PM's visit was expected to take place in July but was postponed as Japan wanted India to come up with something concrete that would "escalate the ties to the next level," officials told Business Standard. This visit is going to be high on strategic and defence cooperation and the civil nuclear cooperation agreement is expected to be signed formally. Negotiations for a nuclear deal with Japan started in 2010 but following the Fukushima nuclear disaster, the talks slowed, with India expressing serious safety concerns. Both sides revived the talks last year under the previous Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government. In January this year Prime Minister Abe visited India as the chief guest for the Republic Day Parade, both parties agreed to clinch the deal soon. "Some of the key takeaways from the visit could be the civil nuclear deal and the defence deal. Apparently, the matter was also discussed during (External Affairs Minister) Sushma Swaraj's meeting with his Japanese counterpart in Myanmar (earlier this month). The long-term goal is collective self-defence," said Srikanth Kondapalli of the Centre for East Asian Studies at the School of International Studies (JNU). -- Peace Is Doable -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Green Youth Movement" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To post to this group, send an email to [email protected]. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/greenyouth. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
