Komura urges India to sign CTBT by Oct.
SINGAPORE, July 28 Kyodo - Japanese Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura
urged India on Wednesday to sign by October
an international treaty banning nuclear tests,
but his Indian counterpart said it would
be difficult because of domestic political
problems, a Japanese official said.
Komura conveyed the request to Indian Foreign
Minister Jaswant Singh during their 35-minute
meeting on the sidelines of the annual gathering
of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
and its dialogue partners, the official told
reporters.
The official said Komura brushed aside Singh's
request to resume economic aid that Japan
froze after India conducted nuclear tests
in May last year. ''Let's talk about it when
you visit Japan,'' Komura was quoted as telling
Singh.
Singh said he hopes to realize as soon as
possible Komura's invitation to visit Japan,
but noted his schedule is limited ahead of
the general election this autumn in India,
the official said.
Komura asked India to sign the Comprehensive
Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) and take part in an
international meeting scheduled for October
to spur its implementation, the official
said.
The treaty has not yet come into effect.
Komura also explained Japan's commitment
to the treaty, saying Japan plans to chair
the meeting and is working to convince China,
Russia and United States, which have not
ratified the pact.
Of the five declared nuclear states only
Britain and France have ratified the treaty.
Singh said it would be difficult to sign
the CTBT because of the approaching election,
although he said Prime Minister Atal Behari
Vajpayee remains committed to pursuing an
ultimate elimination of nuclear weapons.
India will start an election process on Sept.
4 that will not be concluded until early
October.
In September last year, Vajpayee indicated
in his speech to the U.N. General Assembly
that his nation may sign the CTBT.
The official said Komura and Singh agreed
to promote bilateral dialogue on security,
and on economic and cultural issues in a
bid to improve ties. ==Kyodo
