Officials said Singh's primary focus, during his parleys with Japanese Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi, Foreign Minister Yohei Konu and other leaders, would be to bring back on track economic ties, adversely affected by sanctions clamped by Japan after the nuclear explosions last year.

"I expect that my visit will promote better understanding and appreciation of our views, interests and concern," Singh told PTI in Hong Kong before leaving for Tokyo on the first visit to Japan by an Indian leader after the May 1998 nuclear tests.

"We look forward to working with Japan to build a cooperative partnership into the new millennium," he said.

Japan is likely to reiterate that India should sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty when the two sides discuss nuclear-related issues, Japaneseofficials said.

"Our expectation is very high", they said adding an agenda which includes "all conceivable" issues of bilateral and international importance apart from non-proliferation would be discussed between the two sides.

Singh said his visit to Japan is aimed at carrying forward "our dialogue with Japan. I expect to discuss with the Prime Minister and foreign minister of Japan issues of bilateral, regional and global interest.

"Japan is also India's second largest trading partner and fifth largest investor," Singh pointed out.

During his talks with Japanese leaders, Singh is expected to cover the whole gamut of bilateral ties.

Singh begins his official visit with a full-fledged session tomorrow with Obuchi and will later hold talks with his Japanese counterpart Konu.

He will also hold separate parleys with Japanese Defence Minister Tsutomu Kawara and Trade and Industry Minister Takashi Fukuya.

India, China talks
NEW DELHI: India and China will hold the seventh round ofexpert-level talks on the boundary question here tomorrow aimed at promoting mutual understanding and trust to find an amicable solution to the protracted problem.