2006年VOA标准英语-Indian Prime Minister Proposes Closer Ties with

By Steve Herman
Tokyo
14 December 2006

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has called for India and Japan, Asia's two largest democracies, to construct an "arc of advantage and prosperity" across the continent. Analysts¹ have said the two countries are interested in forming closer ties to counterbalance the growing economic and political might of China. VOA's Steve Herman reports from Tokyo, where Mr. Singh addressed a joint² session of the Japanese parliament on Thursday.

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, right, and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe, left, in Tokyo, 14 Dec. 2006

At present, India accounts for only one percent of Japan's total trade, although it is the largest recipient³ of Japanese aid. Japanese businessmen would like increased access to India's billion-plus population, and Mr. Singh told Japanese lawmakers Thursday that India would be happy to accommodate them.

"Economic ties must be the background of our relationship, and a strong push is needed in this area," Singh said. "Our trade and investment ties are well below potential. This must change."

Mr. Singh came to Japan with more than simple economics in mind, however. New Delhi and Washington have just completed a controversial deal in which the U.S. will provide India with fuel and technology for India's peacetime energy program. But that agreement is subject to the approval of the 45-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group, of which Japan is a member.

After India carried out nuclear weapons tests in 1998, Japan imposed economic sanctions on the country. The Indian leader, noting both countries' growing requirements for energy, indirectly⁴ asked Japan on Thursday to forget the past, and approve the U.S. deal.

"Like Japan, India sees nuclear power as a viable⁵ and clean energy source to meet its growing energy requirements," he said.

He also and said the two must cooperate in assuring the security of energy supplies.

"We have, therefore, an equal stake in promoting defense⁶ cooperation, including the protection of sea lanes to secure our trade and energy flows," he said.

Mr. Singh barely mentioned China, except to note that China's trade with India is two times that of Japan's. He alluded⁷ to the mainland's growing might, however, speaking of the "changed international scenario," and he emphasized the values that separate China's totalitarianism from the Japanese and Indian democracies.

"We are two major Asian countries who share the universally respected values of freedom, democracy, respect for fundamental human rights and commitment to the rule of law," Singh said.

He said India and Japan must draw on these values to build "a strong partnership⁸ of the highest mutual⁹ importance."

1 analysts   

分析家，化验员( analyst的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• City analysts forecast huge profits this year. 伦敦金融分析家预测今年的利润非常丰厚。
• I was impressed by the high calibre of the researchers and analysts. 研究人员和分析人员的高素质给我留下了深刻印象。

2 joint   

adj.联合的，共同的；n.关节，接合处；v.连接，贴合

参考例句：

• I had a bad fall,which put my shoulder out of joint.我重重地摔了一跤，肩膀脫臼了。
• We wrote a letter in joint names.我们联名写了封信。

3 recipient   

a.接受的,感受性强的 n.接受者,感受者,容器

参考例句：

• Please check that you have a valid email certificate for each recipient. 请检查是否对每个接收者都有有效的电子邮件证书。
• Colombia is the biggest U . S aid recipient in Latin America. 哥伦比亚是美国在拉丁美洲最大的援助对象。

4 indirectly   

adv.间接地，不直接了当地

参考例句：

• I heard the news indirectly.这消息我是间接听来的。
• They were approached indirectly through an intermediary.通过一位中间人，他们进行了间接接触。

5 viable   

adj.可行的，切实可行的，能活下去的

参考例句：

• The scheme is economically viable.这个计划从经济效益来看是可行的。
• The economy of the country is not viable.这个国家经济是难以维持的。

6 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

7 alluded   

提及，暗指( allude的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• In your remarks you alluded to a certain sinister design. 在你的谈话中，你提到了某个阴谋。
• She also alluded to her rival's past marital troubles. 她还影射了对手过去的婚姻问题。

8 partnership   

n.合作关系，伙伴关系

参考例句：

• The company has gone into partnership with Swiss Bank Corporation.这家公司已经和瑞士银行公司建立合作关系。
• Martin has taken him into general partnership in his company.马丁已让他成为公司的普通合伙人。

9 mutual   

adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的

参考例句：

• We must pull together for mutual interest.我们必须为相互的利益而通力合作。
• Mutual interests tied us together.相互的利害关系把我们联系在一起。