Japan and India share the same goal in terms of universal nuclear disarmament and differ only in their approaches to achieve it, Indian Ambassador to Japan Aftab Seth said Monday.
"(The two countries) have no difference in opinion. India is the only nuclear power willing to negotiate nuclear weapons out of existence," he said during a visit to The Japan Times.
India shocked the world in May 1998 when it conducted a series of underground nuclear tests. The events triggered fierce reaction, especially from Japan.
Seth, who has served as ambassador since September, called for Japanese people's understanding of India's nuclear policy, saying it believes security can be only safeguarded by getting rid of nuclear arsenals.
He also suggested that Japan and India cooperate so they both can win permanent membership on the United Nations Security Council. "We are not competing for a seat but are partners. We have every right to be a permanent member."
On an economic front, he said India has undergone rapid market-opening reforms, symbolized by privatization of the airline and insurance sectors.
"There is a lot Japan can do in infrastructure," he said.
He said the two countries can cooperate in promoting information technology in both countries by exchanging engineers.