Nuclear deal, security top agenda as PM goes to Japan today

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel to Japan tomorrow for a three-day visit which is expected to see the signing of civil nuclear deal between the two countries besides discussions on ways to step up cooperation in the areas like economy and security.

Mr Modi will be holding the annual summit meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and have an audience with the Emperor of Japan.

The two countries are expected to sign civil nuclear cooperation agreement, which will facilitate leading US-based atomic companies to set up plants in India.

The two countries had sealed a broad agreement during Mr Abe’s visit here in December 2015 but the final deal was yet to be signed as certain technical and legal issues were to be thrashed out.

Both the countries have completed the internal procedures including legal and technical aspects of the text of the pact, external affairs ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said last week. When specifically asked whether the pact will be signed during Mr Modi’s visit, he only said, “I can’t pre-judge outcome of the talks.”