India would raise its demand for a quick and time-bound approval for its pharmaceutical products. With this Indian will also demand for easy registration of its drug companies in Japan when both the countries meet in March for talks on the proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).

One of the main issues holding up the conclusion of the CEPA, even after over 12 meetings of the Joint Task Force, is the one on pharma products, especially generic drugs exports from India to Japan. The Japanese pharma market is worth over $60 billion.

Initially, India wanted an automatic approval of all its US Food and Drug Administration approved pharma items and drug companies. However, Japan refused and instead insisted on approvals by its own agency. India has now agreed to this, but has demanded time-bound approvals. India wants Japan to reduce the time for approvals from over seven years to a few months.

India would also seek more market access in Japan's services sector, especially for free movement of skilled Indians including chefs, yoga and wellness instructors, teachers, medical and financial services professionals. India wants commitments from Japan in services.