JAPANESE
PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION A Japanese Parliamentary Delegation led by H.E. Mr. Kozo Watanable, Vice Speaker of the House of Representatives of Japan today called on Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Shri Madan Lal Khurana.Welcoming the delegation, Shri Khurana said that interaction at Parliamentary level is very important to strenghten bilateral relations setting of Parliamentary Friendship Association in Tokyo and New Delhi was a major step in this direction, he said. Shri Khurana said that Indians keenly desire close relations with Japanese and common man in the country looks towards Japanese as a kind of role model in patriotism and industry. He aprised the delegation of Tourism Ministry's initiative to improve infrastructure in Buddhist circle and recently held Buddha Festival at Sarnatha and Gaya. The leader of Japanese delegation warmly reciprocated sentiments of Shri Khurana saying that Japanese regard India as a holy place and feel at home here. He said that most of the Japanese want to visit India atleast once in lifetime because of their faith in Buddhism. He appreciated organising of Buddha Festivals. Shri Khurana presented Lord Buddha's statues to the head of the delegation. JAPANESE DELEGATION CALLS ON INDUSTRY MINISTER A Japanese Parliamentary delegation, led by Mr.Kozo Watanabe, Vice-Speaker of the House of Representatives, called on Shri Sikander Bakht, Union Minister of Industry, here today. Welcoming the delegation, Shri Bakht said that India has great appreciation for the perseverence and work culture of the people of Japan. The Minister added that there is immense scope for strengthening business relations between the two countries. He also referred to the initiatives taken by the Government to open up Indian economy to foreign investments. A pointed reference was made by the Minister to the decisions allowing 40 per cent foreign equity in the insurance sector and the amendments approved by the Cabinet to the Patent Act . The Minister also said that a new patent office will be set up in New Delhi and this will be similar to the high-tech Central Patent office in Japan. |