By IANS
New Delhi : India and Japan Friday reaffirmed their commitment to further enhancing their defence cooperation in various fields like maritime security, research and development and exchange of information on technology.
Indian Defence Minister A.K. Antony and his visiting Japanese counterpart Yuriko Koike during their meeting here Friday expressed happiness on the enhanced defence cooperation between the two countries in recent years.
Japan is participating in the multilateral exercise Malabar-2007 in the Bay of Bengal Sept 4-9 that also features the navies of India, the US, Australia and Singapore.
Koike also briefed 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, a defence ministry statement said.
Japan also sends its military officers for training in Indian military institutions like the National Defence College. In turn, Japan has invited Indian representatives to participate in the Tokyo Defence Forum.
Earlier Friday, Koike paid homage to the unknown soldier at the Amar Jawan Jyoti memorial at India Gate. She was accorded a ceremonial inter-services Guard of Honour when she arrived at the defence ministry at South Block.
The Indian Army chief Gen J.J. Singh, the Indian Navy chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta, and the Indian Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major also called on the visiting dignitary Friday.
Antony had hosted a dinner in Koike’s honour Thursday evening.