The Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is meeting his Indian counterpart, Manmohan Singh to discuss and negotiate a tighter strategic and global relationship between the two countries.

The two officials are expected to discuss subjects like civilian nuclear, defense deals and  strengthening the bilateral trade agreement ,  Abe calling India a rediscovered “partner and friend” while addressing the members of Indian Parliament.  He exposed his strategic plans of a “boarder Asia”, a region that will eventually include Australia and The United States, a project seen by China as a means of counter it.

His addressing to the MPs is the first, after Bill Clinton’s in 2000. He explained that the relations between India and Japan had never been so close and that he believed that this would not only bring wealth to the both countries, but would also have a significant role in maintaining and augmenting world peace.

His trade expectations are hopeful, highlighting that commerce would intensify in the near future, foreseeing a $20 billion reach within the next three years, compared to the present $7 billion.

India is looking forward to signing a ‘comprehensive economic treaty’ with Japan, hoping in attracting $ 5 billion from Japan companies’ investments  there, meaning a double inflow compared to the last 15 years.

Abe arrived in India accompanied by 243 executives from companies such as Toyota or Canon , a larger delegation than the 175-member he took in the Middle East. Japan has only 216 companies in India, while in China has 4,757, according to Nomura Securities Co.

India will seek for Tokyo’s support in  the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) to get the backing for the nuclear deal.

After the New Delphi meeting, Abe will head to a visit in metropolis of Kolkata, then directing to his final Asia destination, Malaysia.