Japan to strengthen Naval ties with India

New Delhi, Dec 28 (ANI): In an endeavour to further strengthen defence cooperation between the two nations, Japan has decided to conduct a joint exercise with the Indian Navy.

"We have now decided to conduct a joint exercise with the Indian Navy. It cannot be said now that to what level will the defence ties between the two sides reach in the next five years," said a Japanese official.

It may be recalled here that maritime security, anti-piracy measures, freedom of navigation and maintaining the security of sea lanes to facilitate unhindered trade by the sea routes were some of the issues that dominated the India-Japan Defence Ministers' meeting in Tokyo in November this year.

Defence Minister AK Antony and his Japanese counterpart Yasuo Ichikawa recognized the importance of sea-lanes and decided to 'actively pursue consultations and cooperation in the field of maritime security both bilaterally and in association with all other countries in the region' during the delegation-level talks held in Tokyo.

The two sides had then exchanged views on regional and international security and decided to step up defence cooperation and exchanges between the two countries.

The enhanced Japan-India cooperation over a broad spectrum, include bilateral ties -political, security, economic and science and technology- as well as regional and global issues.

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, who is presently on a two-day state visit to India to participate in the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two nations, is expected to discuss various issues of regional and global importance with Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh.

Japan is expected to ink nuclear cooperation agreement and social security agreement with India during Prime Minister Noda's visit.

The Japanese Prime Minister is also expected to discuss other global issues with regard to the global economy, UNSC reform and the economic changes.

Throwing light on the major elements of the cooperation between India and Japan that are likely to come up during the discussions between the two Prime Ministers, the Japanese official said: "The Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor will be discussed, how we can invite more Japanese private sector to make more investments in projects as part of business environment promotion, basic infrastructure projects in Southern India."

The Japanese official said that high transportation system, second phase of the Delhi mass rapid transport system are other issues that are likely to come up during the discussions. (ANI)