India, Japan sign agreement to avoid double taxation

On a day of Japanese prime minister Sinzo Abe's India visit, the two sides signed an agreement to amend the convention for double taxation avoidance and prevention of evasion of income tax on Friday. The existing convention was signed way back in 1989.

The protocol was signed by Revenue Secretary Hasmukh Adhia and Ambassador of Japan Kenji Hiramatsu. The pact provides for internationally-accepted standards for effective exchange of information on tax matters, including bank information, the finance ministry said in a statement.

It further provides that the information received from Japan in respect of an Indian resident can be shared with other law enforcement agencies with authorisation of the competent authority of Japan and vice versa.

It is envisaged that both India and Japan will lend assistance to each other on collection of revenue claims.