The Prime Minister has said that the strategic and global partnership between India and Japan is important for peace, prosperity and stability in Asia and the world. In his statement before leaving for three nation tour to Japan, Malaysia and Vietnam on Sunday morning, Dr. Manmohan Singh said that Japan is a major economic partner ofIndia and their trade and economic relationship is all set to enter a new phase. He said that the annual summit with Japan has resulted in a strong vibrant and multi-dimensional relationship between India and Japan. Prime Minister said that Malaysia plays a key role in the ASEAN region. Dr. Manmohan Singh said that he will seek new areas of understanding with Malaysian Prime Minister to reinforce the rich bonds of history and culture which united the two countries. He saidthat in today's unsettled world, it is more important for societies that are democratic multi-religious and multi-cultural to work together. He said, the visit to Malaysia will lead to greaterintegration of economies of the two countries and cooperation in areasof infrastructures development, railways, energy, knowledge industry,defence and greater people to people contact. The Prime Minister saidthat India and Malaysia share a special bond because over two million people of Indian origin live there. During his visit to Vietnam, the Prime Minister will participate in the 8th India ASEAN Summit and 5th East Asia summit. Dr. Singh said that the scale and range of India's interaction with ASEAN countries has expanded significantly in the last six years and he will discuss with ASEAN leaders a road map for future cooperation. On East Asia summit, the Prime Minister said that it represent the desire of Asia Pacific region to build an open and inclusive architecture of regionalcooperation.