India's trade minister expressed hope Wednesday that Japan will allow Indian nurses and caregivers to work in the country, emphasizing that India's health care activities have already been accepted in other nations.

"I hope that Indian nurses and caregivers will be appreciated and would work" in Japan, Indian Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma said in his speech at the Japan National Press Club, suggesting the fast-growing emerging economy is aiming to expand its health care business overseas.

India has created "global-class health care facilities" for many years, said Sharma, who earlier in the day signed the Japan-India bilateral economic partnership deal that will eliminate tariffs on 94 percent of two-way trade flows in 10 years after it comes into force.

Under the pact, the two countries will continue talks over the issue of whether to allow Indian nationals to work in Japan as nurses and caregivers, with the aim of reaching a conclusion within two years after the deal takes effect.

Japanese government officials have so far maintained a cautious stance, saying Tokyo needs to assess the situation of Indonesian and Filipino nurses and caregivers.