Himalayan News Service

New Delhi, April 29:

Japanese prime minister Junichiro Koizumi on Friday stressed on the centrality of economic ties to the growth of Japan-India relations. “Economic ties are central to strengthening the global partnership established by Japan and India five years ago,” the prime minister said.

He was addressing representatives of the Confederation of Indian Industry, Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Associated Chamber of Commerce and Industry at Oberoi Hotel. Koizumi noted he and prime minister Manmohan Singh had agreed to set up a joint study group to strengthen trade ties.