TOKYO, Dec 15: Japan and India agreed on Friday to start talks on a free trade deal to bring the Asian democracies closer, but Tokyo declined to immediately support letting New Delhi into the civilian nuclear club.Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh met his counterpart Shinzo Abe and signed a deal to launch negotiations, to be completed within two years, on a free-trade pact.

While the talks are at an initial stage, the agreement holds symbolic value as Mr Abe has repeatedly said he seeks closer ties with fellow democracy India to compensate for frequent tension with China.

“I agreed with Prime Minister Singh to upgrade the bilateral relationship to a strategic global partnership,” Mr Abe said at a joint press conference.

The two leaders also agreed to boost people-to-people contacts and to start annual visits to each other's countries.

“I am deeply satisfied with the outcome of my visit and I'm glad that Prime Minister Abe has accepted my invitation to visit India next year,” Mr Singh said.

But Mr Abe withheld support on one of Mr Singh's major issues -- nuclear cooperation.

“Singh explained to me about India's growth and the expected demand for energy,” Mr Abe said. “I told Prime Minister Singh that Japan was the only country that was attacked by nuclear bombs and so we have a special feeling against them.”

“It is necessary for India to respond to the expectations of the international community and to deal appropriately during negotiations with the IAEA,” he added.“Japan intends to take part proactively in the discussions and we would also like to discuss this bilaterally with India,” he said.—AFP