India today praised and appreciated Japan promotion of assistance in the development of tourism-related infrastructure, including the Buddhist pilgrimage circuit in India.

In the Joint Statement issued after their talks, both Prime Ministers Shinzo Abe and Dr. Manmohan Singh said that they had designated the Year 2007 as the "India-Japan Tourism Exchange Year" and have directed their respective Tourism Ministries to carry out various activities to promote tourism exchanges.

Welcoming a joint document on the expansion of tourism exchanges between the two countries, both leaders said they were committed to enhancing their ongoing cooperation in development of infrastructure at Buddhist sites in India.

Recalling the important role of Nalanda in the ancient period as a leading international university contributing to Buddhist and secular studies, the two leaders also said that they will explore the idea of re-development of Nalanda as a major centre of learning with the establishment of an international university on the basis of regional cooperation.

Noting that civil aviation links between the two countries are a key element for fostering closer economic and people-to-people contacts, the two leaders welcomed the positive outcome of bilateral civil aviation talks and directed their respective authorities to expeditiously implement the agreed measures to expand air links commensurate with the requirements of growing economic relations and enhanced tourist flows.

The Indian side also invited Japan to participate in the development of airports in India through public-private partnership, and also under the Overseas Development Assitance. The Japanese side said that it would give serious consideration to the idea.