Though New Delhi would have liked to take talks forward on a civilian nuclear agreement with Tokyo, it encountered the Japanese wall of caution and concern. Aso was unequivocal in Japan’s reluctance to start even a dialogue on nuclear energy. “We are not engaged in any talks on cooperation in nuclear energy. Prime Minister Singh did mention his desire for a future cooperation. But, it is important that India lives up to its expectations on continuation of a moratorium on nuclear testing,” Taro said.

Despite this, Singh took the opportunity to publicly thank Japan for supporting the Indo-US deal. “We are very grateful to the Government of Japan for the support it has extended to us in civil nuclear cooperation in the forums of the IAEA as well as the Nuclear Suppliers Group.” He said India sincerely desired to strengthen and develop its cooperation with Japan in civil nuclear energy. “But I do recognise the sensitivity of this issue in Japan and therefore mentioned to the Prime Minister that we will move at a pace at which the Japanese Government and people are comfortable with,” Singh said.