Japanese PM hopes India will not test nuclear weapons

TOKYO: Ahead of summit talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Japanese Premier Taro Aso voiced hope that India would stick to its unilateral moratorium on atomic tests and "implement" commitments made to the NSG for securing the waiver that ended its 34-year nuclear apartheid.

Aso also expressed confidence that Singh's visit to Japan will give a "renewed momentum" to the enhancement of bilateral relations.

"Japan thinks the most important thing is that, in order to maintain and strengthen the international non- proliferation system, India will implement its commitments and actions which presuppose the NSG Statement, including the continuation of its unilateral moratorium on nuclear testing," Aso said in an e-mail interview.

Singh and Aso are due to meet here tomorrow. The Japanese government had boldly supported the Indo-US civil nuclear deal at the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) despite a public outcry in the only nation to have suffered atomic bombings during World War II.

Though Aso did not directly respond to whether Tokyo would allow Japanese nuclear power companies to engage in nuclear commerce with India, he highlighted that Japanese nuclear power industry was strong and had proven credentials.

"Japan has pursued steadily the construction of nuclear power plants, while making an effort to conform with and ensure 3S, i.e. Non-proliferation/Safeguards, Nuclear Safety and Nuclear Security, and seeking international understanding and trust," the Japanese Premier said.