India, Japan to enhance defence cooperation

Defence Minister A K Antony and his Japanese counterpart Yuriko Koike today expressed happiness on the enhanced defence cooperation between the two countries in recent years.

New Delhi, Aug 24 : Defence Minister A K Antony and his Japanese counterpart Yuriko Koike today expressed happiness on the enhanced defence cooperation between the two countries in recent years.

During their meeting in New Delhi today, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to further enhance this cooperation in various fields like maritime security, research and development and exchange of information on technology aspects.

Japan is participating in the multilateral naval exercise scheduled to be held early next month.

Yuriko Koike informed Antony about the role played by Japan in the fight against international terrorism. Sharing the views of his counterpart, Antony also emphasised upon the need to combat terrorism of any kind.

Japan is sending their military officers for training in Indian Defence institutions like the National Defence College. Japan also invited Indian representatives to participate in the Tokyo Defence Forum.

Earlier in the day, Koike paid homage to the martyrs at Amar Jawan Jyoti and was accorded a ceremonial inter-services Guard of Honour at defence headquarters.

The three Service Chiefs also called on the visiting dignitary.

Koike's visit comes at the end of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's visit to India.

Koike arrived here on Thursday from Islamabad, where she had asked Pakistan to join the Nuclear non-Proliferation Treaty regime.

The 54-year-old Koike is Japan's first female Defence Minister after her predecessor quit the post over remarks that appeared to accept the 1945 U.S. atomic bombings of two Japanese cities.

ANI