“We have seen substantive progress in our EPA negotiations and I am looking forward to discuss this matter with Prime Minister Singh, based on the negotiations the two countries have had so far,” he said.

India and Japan have been negotiating a EPA for the last two years with an objective of giving a boost to the USD 10 billion bilateral trade by way of eliminating and slashing duties on as much as 90 per cent of the goods and services traded between the Asian countries.

Describing the Indian market as “quite huge,” Aso said it has been growing at an astonishing pace in recent times.

“The Japanese companies are keenly watching its development.” Aso, who responded to questions on a wide gamut of important issues, said “Japan thinks the most important thing is that, in order to maintain and strengthen the international non-proliferation system, India will implement its commitments and actions which presuppose the NSG Statement, including the continuation of its unilateral moratorium on nuclear testing.” “Japan has pursued steadily the construction of nuclear power plants, while making an effort to conform with and ensure 3S, i.e. Non-proliferation/Safeguards, Nuclear Safety and Nuclear Security, and seeking international understanding and trust,” he said.