The external affairs minister, SM Krishna, will leave on a two-day visit to Japan on Friday. Krishna will travel to the world’s second largest economy to hold wide ranging talks, particularly in the sphere of trade and investment, against the backdrop of the global economic crisis.
The minister, to be accompanied by a delegation of senior officials, will, apart from attending the third annual strategic dialogue between the two countries, also hold delegation level talks with his counterpart Hirofumi Nakasone on a wide range of bilateral and global issues, including the intensification of economic and commercial ties. Climate change will also be an important theme in the discussions that takes place days ahead of the G8 summit in Italy on July 9-10.
Both the countries would be looking at ways to step up two-way trade and investment, particularly against the backdrop of global financial crisis. Also, Krishna and Nakasone are expected to discuss the reform of international institutions like the UN and financial bodies. India and Japan , both seeking permanent membership of the UN Security Council, are part of a four-nation group that is pushing for expansion of the powerful world body. Other members of the G-4 are Germany and Brazil .
While announcing Krishna?s visit, the external affairs ministry on Monday said, ?The minister will also officially inaugurate the new building of the Indian embassy in Tokyo , and will meet members of the Indian community in Japan .?
Besides meeting his counterpart, Krishna will also call on Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso.
