India and Japan Friday decided to launch a high- level strategic dialogue including joint action on terrorism, working as partners in achieving a nuclear weapons free world, and the launch of a gas and oil cooperation dialogue. Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, who is on a two-day visit to India, and his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh signed a joint statement outlining an updated version of the proposed India- Japan global partnership. The signing ceremony followed wide-ranging talks between the two leaders on various issues. The global partnership would comprise measures for cooperation in eight areas of interaction which included enhanced and upgraded dialogue architecture; comprehensive economic engagement, enhanced security dialogue and cooperation; science and technology initiatives; cultural and academic initiatives and strengthening of people-to-people contacts. It would also include cooperation in ushering in a new Asia era; cooperation in the United Nations and other organizations and cooperation in response to global challenges and opportunities. --More 2255 Local Time 1955 GMT
