Japan a factor in Asian peace, stability: PM

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Sunday arrived in Tokyo to take forward India's negotiations with Japan on an Agreement for Peaceful uses of Nuclear Energy and also conclude talks over a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (Cepa) covering all aspects of trade in goods, services and investments.

While the two pacts will not be signed now, Singh's Annual Summit meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan assumes significance in the backdrop of growing friction between Japan and China. Ahead of his departure from New Delhi, Singh said India considers its partnership with Japan as "strategic" and sees it as a factor of peace, stability and prosperity in Asia.

When asked if India would counter China's aggressiveness, he told the Japanese media in an interview that all countries were trying to respond and readjust to global trends towards multi-polarity. "Inter-state relations must be based on the five principles of peaceful co-existence. It is in this context that we also approach our relations with China, with whom we have established a Strategic and Cooperative Partnership," he said.

Acknowledging that Japan is a major economic partner of India, Singh said, "We have embarked upon mega infrastructure projects with Japanese assistance which have the potential of transforming our economy. Our trade and economic relationship is set to enter a new phase. I look forward to detailed discussions with Prime Minister Kan on bilateral, regional and global issues." Japan and India have set up a Project Development Fund to identify projects in the Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor for investment by the private sector. Besides, Japan has also evinced interest in the Dedicated Freight Corridor project in India.

Singh will also address business leaders at the Nippon Keidanren, the leading industry association in Japan.

The PM is accompanied by a business delegation led by Mukesh Ambani of Reliance Industries, who is the co-chair of the Japan-India Business Leaders' Forum.

In his second leg, he stops over at Kuala Lumpur in his first bilateral visit to Malaysia. "I will seek new areas of understanding with Prime Minister Dato Sri Najib that reinforce the rich bonds of history and culture that unite us. We share a special bond with Malaysia because it is home to one of the largest People of Indian Origin communities of over two million, and I look to forward to meeting some of them," he said. Singh will also deliver the Khazanah Global Lecture 2010 on India's development experience.

His last stop will be at the 8th India-ASEAN Summit and 5th East Asia Summit in Vietnam. "The scale and range of our interaction with the ASEAN countries has expanded significantly in the last six years. I will discuss with the ASEAN leaders a roadmap for our future cooperation which will be reflected in an India-ASEAN Plan of Action for 2010-2015," he said.

The East Asia Summit represents the desire of the Asia Pacific region to build an open and inclusive architecture of regional cooperation. In its short period of existence, the EAS process has made significant progress. This year's Summit is expected to welcome the US and Russia into the EAS process.

This Australian Test team is weak: Harbhajan

The current team looks good on paper but they lack experience. Their batting line-up revolves around Ricky Ponting, Michael Hussey and Michael Clarke. But this Australian Test team is weak.

Any particular reason for not bowling the doosra in the two Test matches against Australia?

I can't bowl according to what people wish. It's up to me how to bowl. One has to bowl according to the conditions. I think I did well. Even after not using the doosra, I'm glad I got wickets.

There is a lot of positive talk about the atmosphere in the Indian dressing room.

Coach Gary Kirsten and the support staff have created a lovely environment. It is like one big family now. There is no senior-junior thing. We seniors try to make the younger players feel at home. There is a lot of confidence in each other's abilities in this Indian dressing room.

How is it that Team India generates something special when we play Australia?

Honestly, it is not just Australia... whenever we play an opponent we prepare well. We ensure we stick to our plans. We watch a lot of videos and make sure we know the strengths and weaknesses of each player in the opposition.

The Indian team doesn't hesitate to take risks...

One has to take risks. The team management is backing youngsters and the good thing is that they are performing at every stage. Young batsmen must be ready to bat at any position be it Cheteshwar Pujara, or Murali Vijay. Tomorrow if MS (Dhoni) asks me to bat at no.3, I shouldn't think twice.

Pragyan Ojha seems to be shaping up well.

Give youngsters some time and they will deliver. These youngsters just want to win everything. We still need to give these youngsters a longer rope, especially, in Test cricket. One shouldn't write them off after they fail in just a couple of matches. We need to back our players.

Can you explain Australia's failure to dominate opponents?

They had a great team when they toured India in 2001. They had a strong batting line-up with Shane Warne coming in at No.8. All their batsmen had tons of experience. The current team looks good on paper but they lack experience. Their batting line-up revolves around Ricky Ponting, Michael Hussey and Michael Clarke. But this Australian Test team is weak.

Would you say that preparations are on the right track for the World Cup?

We need to take one step at a time. We have a strong bench and some good youngsters in the line-up. The one-day series against Australia will be a good platform for the youngsters with a few senior players being given rest.

Is Tendulkar becoming younger in his late 30's?

It seems so. He is batting as if he is 25 and not 37. He has shown that determination and hard work can do wonders.