India, Japan to unite against protectionism

GANDHINAGAR: India and Japan on Thursday committed to resist protectionism while making a strong case for rule based multilateral trading system for sustainable growth.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe held strategic discussions on a wide range of issues under the Special Strategic and Global Partnership between the two countries.

"The two Prime Ministers underlined the crucial role of the rules-based multilateral trading system, and enhancing free, fair, and open trade, for achieving sustainable growth and development.

"They committed to resist protectionism including unfair trade practices and underlined the need to remove trade- distorting measures," said a joint statement issued after the meeting.

Modi and Abe reaffirmed their commitment to work together to implement the Bali and Nairobi Ministerial decisions and make the 11th WTO Ministerial Conference a success.

They also decided to steadily implement WTO'S Trade Facilitation Agreement.

Japan reaffirmed its support to India's membership in the Asia-pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), a forum for 21 Pacific Rim member economies.

The two leaders decided to work towards liberalisation and facilitation of trade and investment in the Asia-pacific region.

"They reaffirmed to cooperate towards conclusion of a modern, comprehensive, high quality and mutually beneficial Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement, in order to achieve a balanced outcome," the statement said.

Modi and Abey also reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening cooperation