Antony to discuss military ties in Japan

PNS | New Delhi

Defence Minister AK Antony will discuss bilateral military ties, joint training and coordination of effort in anti-piracy during his four-day visit to Japan, starting on Saturday. This is the first visit of an Indian Cabinet minister to Japan after the DPJ Government came to power there.

During his visit, Antony will hold talks with his counterpart, Toshimi Kitazawa, to review ongoing defence-related interactions. They will also explore ways to enhance such exchanges to mutual benefit, according to an official spokesman on Friday.

Joint exercises between Armed Forces of both countries and exchange of students in defence training institutions would be discussed with the other side.

In addition, possibilities of coordination of efforts in anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden and other maritime security challenges are expected to be talked through, the spokesman added.

Security and defence cooperation between India and Japan are guided by the Joint Statement — which was issued by Defence Ministers of both sides during the visit of the then Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee to Japan in May 2006 — and the Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation, issued during the visit of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Japan in October 2008.

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