India, Japan to steadily expand security and defense cooperation

TOKYO - Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan on Monday decided to steadily expand security and defense cooperation between India and Japan.

Both the leaders today held extensive talks on bilateral, regional and global issues of shared interest, in which they also aimed to cooperate to enhance their capacity in responding to security challenges such as maritime security which entails safety and freedom of navigation and counter-piracy, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief and response, inter alia, through bilateral and multilateral exercises, information sharing, training and dialogue.

In this context, they welcomed the launch of India-Japan Shipping Policy Forum and mutual exchange of schedules of escort operations by the Indian Navy and Japan Self-Defense Forces in the Gulf of Aden.

Both the Prime Ministers instructed relevant authorities to realize the full potential of the Action Plan to advance Security Cooperation signed in 2009, based on the Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation between India and Japan. (ANI)