Processing .....please wait.. 
The article has been forwarded.... 
Japan to pursue trade deals with India
By agencies
|
Tuesday, 03 January 2006, 20:30 IST
TOKYO: Japan is along at pursuing free trade agreements with India to give it more clout in a proposed East Asian community, a Japanese daily reported Tuesday.
Japan has been increasing its free trade agreements (FTAs) but has signed only three so far. However, most negotiations have faced difficulties because of Japan's highly protected agriculture sector.
The agreement is likely to be one part of a global economic strategy the government is expected to finalize around March, the Japanese daily Mainichi Shimbun said.
According to the paper, Japan plans to start FTA negotiations with India and Australia in 2007.
The trade agreement with India is part of an effort to counter the Chinese influence in a proposed East Asian community, one of the issues discussed at a meeting of East Asian leaders held in Malaysia last month, the paper said.
Japan favors the inclusion of India in such a community, while other East Asian nations oppose the idea, saying that neither nation belongs to East Asia geographically.