Thursday, January 6 2005 15:30 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Japan today (Jan 6, 2005) said it was ready to transfer technology and share its experience with India for expeditious establishment of a tsunami early warning mechanism and consider stepping up concessional loan assistance if required by New Delhi.

"We understand and respect the basic position of Indian Government not to receive any assistance from foreign Governments," Japanese Ambassador Yasukuni Enoki told reporters in New Delhi.

If India changes its policy to welcome or requests for foreign assistance, "Japan will be very happy to cooperate", he said.

As part of ongoing high-level contacts, three key Japanese ministers are visiting India this month to discuss ways to bolster bilateral ties.

They are Shoichi Nakagawa, Minister for Economy, Trade and Industry, Finance Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki and Heizo Takenaka, Minister for Economic and Fiscal Policy and Privatisation of Postal Services. Takayoshi Tsudena, vice minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, will also come here next week.

Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi will be visiting India this year, Enoki said. Dates for the visit have not yet been finalised.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Koizumi had met at Laos in November on the margin of the India-ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) Summit. They are expected to meet again at other international fora in the next six months.

Enoki said Japan was ready to transfer technology for tsunami early warning mechanisms and share its experience in dealing with such disasters.

"This is not in conflict with the Government of India's basic position. We can have good room to work together," he said while also suggesting establishment of a regional framework for long distance and long term measures.

The Japanese envoy said he had held preliminary discussions on the issue with Prime Minister's Office. India has shown its keen interest in this regard, he said adding further discussions would be held with the Home ministry and other departments.

Observing that every year, Japanese concessional loan assistance was being extended to India, he said this could be increased.

A K Rastogi, Secretary, Disaster Management in the Home Ministry will lead the Indian delegation at the world conference on disaster reduction in Kobe, Japan from January 18 to 22, he said.

Japan has decided to extend upto $ 500 million dollars grant to affected countries and international organisations concerned as emergency assistance to cope with the damaged caused by tsunami.

Enoki said Japan has despatched relief teams to various affected areas and would make further contributions by utilizing fire department helicopters and personnel.