ISLAMABAD, Aug 22: Japanese Defence Minister Yuriko Koike on Wednesday said Japan wanted to strengthen the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) internationally.

She was speaking at a press conference after holding meetings with President Gen Pervez Musharraf, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and Defence Minister Rao Sikandar Iqbal.

She said Japan would continue to remain engaged in discussions for a non-proliferation regime. She said Japan would like Pakistan to sign the NPT.

She was responding to a question about US-India civil nuclear deal, possible resumption of nuclear tests by New Delhi and its impact on the efforts aimed at nuclear non-proliferation.

Ms Yuriko Koike, who will be joining Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe already in New Delhi, avoided making any direct comments on the US-India nuclear deal, and chose to express her country’s concern about the nuclear activities of North Korea in response to an India-specific question.

She termed Pakistan an indispensable partner in the global “war on terrorism” and hinted at increasing economic assistance for it. Eulogising Pakistan’s role in the so-called “war on terrorism” she acknowledged the heavy price the country was paying for it.

She said Japan’s presence in the Arabian Sea was not for the sake of the United States, but for providing assistance to Pakistan and other countries in the “war against terrorism”.

The Japanese minister said her country was playing its part in the “war on terrorism” and providing drinking water and fuel to the coalition forces stationed in the region.She said if Japan withdrew from the “war on terrorism”, it would convey a negative message to the international community as well as the terrorists.

She said during her meetings with the Pakistani leaders the entire range of bilateral relations and the global “war on terrorism” came under discussion.

During her meting with President Gen Pervez Musharraf, the visiting defence minister assured Japan’s continued assistance to Pakistan for its development and progress and said her country desires to see Pakistan economically strong and vibrant.

President Pervez Musharraf appreciated the strong bonds the two countries enjoy in political, economic and other fields and hoped the ties will continue to further strengthen in the days ahead.

He said Pakistan has deployed over 90,000 troops along its border with Afghanistan and was taking effective measures to check illegal movement across one of the most inhospitable terrains.

In her meeting with Defence Minister Rao Sikandar Iqbal, the Japanese minister said the purpose of her visit was also to strengthen coordination.