Significance of the Visit by Prime Minister Mori to Bangladesh, Pakistan, India and Nepal

August 2000
Ministry of Foreign Affairs

1. Aims of the Visit

Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori's visit to four South Asian countries is being made in the light of the region's importance to expand relations with these nations in the areas of politics, economics, culture, and youth exchange.
With India in particular, Japan intends to forge a new partnership toward the twenty-first century and to strengthen cooperative ties in the area of information technology.
Based on the conclusions of the Group of Eight Kyushu-Okinawa Summit, Japan intends to talk with India and Pakistan about resuming dialogue between India and Pakistan and is making a progress on issues relating to nuclear nonproliferation, including the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT).
With Bangladesh and Nepal, favorable bilateral relations will be confirmed, and an announcement will be made of continued support for the economic development of these countries.
The visit to Nepal will be the first by an incumbent Japanese Prime Minister. For the other three countries, it will be the first such visit in 10 years.

Courtesy call on President Shahabuddin Ahmed and summit meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Courtesy call on President Muhammad Rafiq Tarar and summit meeting with Chief Executive Pervez Musharraf.

Courtesy call on President Kicheril Raman Narayanan and Vice-President Krishna Kant and summit meeting with Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
Visit to Bangalore and Agra (Taj Mahal, etc.)

An audience with King Birendra Bir Bikram and summit meeting with Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala.