India, Japan make 'progress' in CEPA negotiations: Krishna

Krishna, who is on a four-day visit to Japan, held wide-ranging discussions on the entire gamut of bilateral relations during the third strategic dialogue he co-chaired with his Japanese counterpart Hirofumi Nakasone.

"We are making progress in our negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. Foreign Minister Nakasone and I agreed on the necessity of concluding a high quality and mutually beneficial agreement," he told reporters after the delegation level talks.

The two countries will hold further talks here later this month on the matter.

Krishna and his Japanese counterpart also agreed to expedite the work on the Dedicated Freight Corridor and Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor projects.

"I am confident that these will become important symbols of our partnership," the External Affairs Minister said.

He voiced appreciation for the Official Development Assistance given by Japan, which has contributed to economic development in India in a big way.