India and Japan on Saturday reaffirmed their support in strengthening of international cooperation to address the challenges of nuclear proliferation and nuclear terrorism.
In the joint statement issued after summit-level talks held here between Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the two leaders reaffirmed the importance of civil nuclear cooperation between the two countries, and also recognized that nuclear safety is a priority for both countries.
They also noted that substantial progress has been made since their last meeting in negotiations on an Agreement for Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy and have directed their officials to exert further efforts towards an early conclusion of the Agreement.
The two countries reaffirmed their shared commitment to the total elimination of nuclear weapons. Prime Minister Abe stressed the importance of bringing into force the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) at an early date while Prime Minister Singh reiterated India's commitment to its unilateral and voluntary moratorium on nuclear explosive testing.
They also reaffirmed their commitment to working together for immediate commencement and an early conclusion of negotiations on a non-discriminatory, multilateral and internationally and effectively verifiable Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty (FMCT).
They noted the importance of an effective national export control system conforming to the highest international standards. Prime Minister Abe recognized India's sound non-proliferation record.
Both sides expressed their commitment to work together for India to become a full member in the international export control regimes: the Nuclear Suppliers Group, the Missile Technology Control Regime, the Australia Group and the Wassenaar Arrangement, with the aim of strengthening the international non-proliferation efforts.
