A high level Japanese delegation headed by President of International Friendship Exchange Council, FEC, Ken Matsuzawa met the Minister of State for Planning, Science and Technology Dr.Ashwani Kumar, in New Delhi today. During the meeting Dr. Kumar called for further consolidation of the unique partnership between Japan and India. He told the visiting delegation that this relationship is an essential component of Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh’s Look East Policy towards a closer integration of India with East Asia. On this occasion, FEC, emphasized to deepen the international understanding and friendship between both the countries. The leader of the Japanese delegation and Ambassador Hiroshi Hirabayashi informed that Japan treats India as its close friend and an important economic and scientific power.