Speaking at a banquet hosted in honour of visiting Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi here, he said "it is thus only befitting that we have decided during your visit to add a new strategic focus to our Global Partnership and to deepen and widen our cooperation in the New Asian Era. We see this as a many-layered initiative encompassing diverse areas of our interaction."

Recalling the supportive role played by Japan in 1991 to tide over India's economic crisis when he (Manmohan Singh) was Finance Minister, Singh said "it was as a result of such friendly support that India was able to emerge from the crisis and to subsequently embark on the path of economic reform that has changed the face of the economy."

"We want to reduce the psychological and other barriers that prevent fuller exploitation of the immense potential that lies untapped in our economic ties," he said.

The Prime Minister said that though both nations had gone through various phases in their relationship, "in times of difficulty, we have stood by each other. It is important to recall that India refused to attend the San Francisco Peace Conference in 1951 and signed a separate Peace Treaty with Japan in 1952.

"This Pandit Nehru felt, gave to Japan a proper position of honour and equality among the comity of free nations. In that Peace Treaty, India waived all reparation claims against Japan," Singh said.

The dissenting judgement of Justice Radha Binod Pal is well-known to the Japanese people and it would always symbolis the affection and regard "our people have for your country," the Prime Minister said.