Japan also appreciates a series of policy pronouncements by both countries on CTBT, FMTC, export control etc. Japan welcomes talks between the Indian and Pakistani Prime Ministers on the occasion of the inaugural run of Delhi-Lahore direct bus service on 20th February. This historic summit marks an important step towards confidence building and eventual d tente between India and Pakistan. When it comes to India's relations with the rest of Asia, we cannot ignore the importance of regional cooperation. I think that when East Asian countries, including Japan, will overcome the current economic crises in some years, with necessary structural reforms completed, they will emerge more stronger and will be in a position to cooperate much more positively and constructively with South Asian countries.
Many people say that the next millennium is the century of Asia and Pacific.
I would like to conclude my speech by saying that the next century will see the entire region from the Pacific side of the western hemisphere to the Indian sub-continent integrated into a great sphere of cooperative countries. Thank you very much.