India's relations with countries of East Asia region continued to expand during 1996-97. Exchange of views between the governments continued at a high political level. Trade and economic cooperation showed a sharp increase.

The Minister of External Affairs held talks on bilateral relations and interna-tional issues with Japanese Foreign Minister in July 1996 during the ASEAN-Post Ministerial Conference/ASEAN Regional Forum meetings. Finance Minister visited Japan from 23-28 November 1996 and inaugurated two important investment semi-nars, one organized by Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Nikkei), the largest economic newspa-per, and the other by the Nagoya Chamber of Commerce and Industry. A MITI commissioned study on Indian economy and investments in India gave a favorable and positive projection of economic opportunities in India. The Indo-Japan Trade Talks, the meetings of the India-Japan Business Cooperation Committees and the joint Committee on the Japan-India Cooperation in Science and Technology were held. Japan has emerged as the fourth largest investor in India. Interaction between the two countries in the cultural sphere continued with exchanges of scholars, students and cultural delegations.

The momentum for the expansion and strengthening of cooperation between India and the Republic of Korea (ROK) was maintained during 1996-97. The meeting of the India-ROK joint Business Council (JBC) was held in Seoul. Cooperation between the two countries in the field of science and technology continued to expand. Exchanges of students, scholars and cultural delegations under the India-ROK Cultural Exchange Program continued. The Tagore Society of Korea organized a week of Tagore events from 20-26 May 1996 to commemorate the poet's 135th birth anniver-sary. A five-member Tagore Music Group from Calcutta visited ROK on this occasion.

An Indian Parliamentary Delegation led by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha visited the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). In response to the DPRK's appeal for relief assistance in the wake of heavy damage and food shortage on account of devastating floods, the government sent 1000 MT of wheat in April 1996.