Saturday, April 30 2005 13:01 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Japan yesterday (Apr 29, 2005) acknowledged certain curbs imposed against India after the 1998 Pokhran nuclear test were acting as impediments in development of bilateral relations in the science and technology field and it was looking for a way out.

"Certain measures, including curbs on visits by certain Indian individuals, had been imposed after the 1998 nuclear test," a senior Japanese official accompanying Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi told reporters in New Delhi.

"We realised that such curbs are acting as impediments to development of relation in science and technology field. We are trying to find a solution," the official said after talks between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Koizumi in New Delhi.

The issue of Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) and Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) was not discussed at the meeting between Koizumi and Singh, although the issue of nuclear disarmament came up with both sharing the view that it should be done globally.

The official said the two countries had decided to enhance military-to-military cooperations and in this direction visits by high-ranking officials will take place from either side.

Initially exchange of visits at the level of deputy Ministers have been planned, he said.