PM Manmohan Singh meets Japanese Emperor, discusses bilateral ties

TOKYO: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today called on Japanese Emperor Akihito and discussed bilateral ties and issues of mutual interest.

Singh accompanied by his wife Gursharan Kaur met the Emperor and the Empress of Japan at the luncheon at Imperial Palace here ahead of his meeting with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Singh, who is on a three-day visit to Japan to strengthen bilateral strategic ties, yesterday said India sees Japan as a "natural and indispensable partner" in its quest for stability and peace in Asia.

Noting that India and Japan are among the major actors in this region, he said, "It is our responsibility to foster a climate of peace, stability and cooperation and to lay an enduring foundation for security and prosperity".

"India's relations with Japan are important not only for our economic development, but also because we see Japan as a natural and indispensable partner in our quest for stability and peace in the vast region in Asia that is washed by the Pacific and Indian Oceans," he said.

"Our relationship with Japan has been at the heart of our Look East Policy," Singh said.