“It is certainly true that we have had some turbulence in politics here in Delhi over the (nuclear) agreement. However, I’m confident that we shall be able to overcome these problems... if winter comes, can spring be far behind?” Singh said, responding to a query on Left opposition to the deal, at a press conference he jointly addressed with Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Singh also expressed “sincere hope” that when India goes to the Nuclear Suppliers’ Group (NSG) to seek relaxation of the present restrictive attitude for supply of nuclear material, India will get Japan’s support.

While acknowledging that Japan understands the “necessity of India to try and meet its increasing demand for energy while addressing global warming issues, by using nuclear energy,” Abe remained non-committal about directly extending support to India at the NSG.

“We have to watch very closely the implications this will have on international nuclear proliferation and nuclear disarmament efforts,” said Abe.

But he did promise that Japan will engage in international discussions on the issue in a “thorough” manner. “I told Prime Minister Singh that it’s essential for India to address appropriately the negotiations with the IAEA in order to respond to the concerns of the world,” Abe said. He also sought India’s help in “denuclearisation of North Korea” and the fight against terrorism.

A senior Japanese official said that Japan was currently negotiating civilian nuclear energy co-operation pacts with Russia and Central Asian countries like Kazakhstan. However, India posed a “unique problem” for Japan as it was not part of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

“How to analyse this in the context of the Japanese policy on proliferation and disarmament is to be worked out. We have had some explanations once from India on the deal and will need more information,” the official said, explaining Japan’s “rather neutral” stance despite India citing its good “track record”.

At the inaugural India Japan Business Leaders Forum this afternoon, Hitachi CEO Kazuo Furukawa said that the company “may consider” investing in India’s nuclear energy sector, as and when the nuclear deal is operationalised.

The two countries also agreed to lay down a roadmap to enhance strategic and global ties, which includes a group to explore collaboration for new IITs, launching a fund to make the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor a reality, an agreement on currency swaps and a comprehensive economic partnership agreement (Union Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath expects it to be ready by the year-end).