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Japan says yes to PM's
'Arc of Prosperity' plan

What is India News Service, Monday, 29 November 2004, 2000 hrs IST

Japan has evinced keen interest in forging an “Asian Economic Community” (AEC) mooted by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh having its own “Arc of Advantage” to counter the West’s categorisation of this continent as an “Arc of Instability.” 

The proposal fired the imagination of Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi who visualised it as an “Arc of Prosperity” blazing its trail from the East to the West. Both leaders during a bilateral on the sidelines of the Asean Summit and on the eve of the third Asean-India summit called for discussing the idea at the experts level besides giving an added push to India-Japan economic cooperation. 

Dr Singh and Mr Koizumi agreed to constitute a multidisciplinary experts group reflecting all interests for enlarging the entire gamut of India-Japan economic and commercial ties encompassing projects, investments and utilisation of funds. 

Even as the Japanese Prime Minister noted that India’s economy was attracting the world’s attention, Dr Singh thanked Japan for its generous development assistance in the core sectors of India’s economy. In this context, Mr Koizumi was apprised about the Delhi metro doing very well and that Japan’s presence must be felt through more high visibility projects all over India. The Japanese Prime Minister responded positively.

Within an hour of his arrival in Laos to attend the third Indian-Asean summit on Tuesday, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh set in motion his interface with leaders from Indonesia, Laos and Vietnam which were essentially bilateral with the host country extending its support to India for a permanent seat in the UN Security Council.


News analysis: If India's engagement with the Association of South-East Asian Nations has expanded and deepened a great deal over the past 12 years, this is quite modest in comparison with the powerful relationship China has forged with them. 

Taj may be a 'wonder', officially: The world famous monument of love - Taj Mahal - is on course to be included in the list of the new 'Seven Wonders of the World' to be officially declared on January 1, 2006. Actress Aishwarya Rai will announce the monument's nomination to this prestigious list on Wednesday at a mega event to be organised at the Taj Mahal.

Bangalore-Chennai ‘bullet’ train: The bullet train project is in tune with the UPA’s policy of modernising the Indian railways by introducing high-speed rail technology.

Supreme Court notice to govt on ‘tainted’ ministers’ issue: The Supreme Court today issued a notice to the Centre on the “tainted” ministers issue, raised in a PIL petition based on reinduction of JMM leader Shibu Soren in the Council of Ministers by the Prime Minister. 

Will JD(U) go with Ram? Nitish keeps BJP guessing: Janata Dal (U) leader Nitish Kumar is keeping the BJP guessing about his next move amidst speculations that he was exploring the possibility of forging a new alliance with Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) leader Ram Vilas Paswan.

States

7 new flyovers next year: For Delhiites, Asiad 1982 was the turning point for the modernisation of the city's road system apart from the new stadia and five star hotels. Since then, there has been a relentless focus on flyovers for greater connectivity.

Tripura’s Bru refugees offered repatriation package: The BNLF has accepted the Mizoram CM’s offer of a resettlement package for the rehabilitation of Bru refugees displaced by the violence in 1997.

Colourful start to film festival in Goa: The 35th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), Goa, got off to a colourful start. Thespian Dilip Kumar justified the selection of Goa as the permanent venue for the IFFI.

UN proposes new criteria for using force: A report by a high-level panel on reforming the United Nations proposes expanding the criteria for UN Military action but maintains the need for Security Council approval, UN Diplomats said.

Krishna fuels hope in State, resentment in Maharashtra: There are conflicting opinions on what Mr Krishna as Maharashtra governor would mean to the long-standing border dispute.
 

Neighbours

Pakistan test-fires Hatf-III missile: Pakistan on Monday successfully test-fired indigenously developed short-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile Hatf-III, Ghaznavi, an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) issued here on Monday said. This was the third test of Ghaznavi missile, which like other available Pakistan's missiles, is capable of carrying nuclear and other types of warheads to a range of 290 kilometres.

Musharraf sees ‘light at end of tunnel’ with India: President Pervez Musharraf said on Monday there were prospects for resolving all disputes with India, including over Kashmir, through the current peace talks.

Nuke, missile programme guarantee for peace, says Aziz:  Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said on Monday that Pakistan's nuclear and missile programme was the best guarantee of peace in the region and Islamabad did not harbour any aggressive designs against any country.

Talks on Kishan-Ganga water issue in January: Pakistan and India on Monday set a timeframe of three months to solve the Kishan-Ganga water problem and hold the next meeting on the issue by mid-January 2005 at New Dehli.

Suu Kyi detention extended: The detention period of the Myanmar's detained democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been extended by another year, her party officials said on Monday.


View from abroad


US warned of more attacks: Al Qaeda's deputy leader Ayman al-Zawahri said in a videotape broadcast on Monday that the organization would continue to attack the United States until Washington changed its policies towards the Muslim world. ...





Overall

PM landed in Indonesia:  Manmohan Singh got a warm reception, and a request for defence assistance.

Supreme Court rejected Thackeray conviction: It set aside a judgment passed by the Mumbai High Court.

Nepali Maoists turned down invitation to talks: They are in no mood to listen to their prime minister Deuba and have rejected his January 13 deadline.