India, Japan defence minister-level talks tomorrow

Ways to strengthen military ties and sale of Japanese amphibious aircraft to Indian armed forces are expected to be discussed during the meeting of the Defence Ministers of the two countries here tomorrow.

The two countries are also expected to discuss the regional security scenario during the meeting between Defence Minister AK Antony and his Japanese counterpart Itsunori Onodera against the backdrop of the recent tensions between Japan and China on East China Sea issue, Defence Ministry officials said.

Onodera is on a four-day visit to India and is expected to meet the top political and military leadership of the country to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral military ties, they said.

During the discussions, the Japanese side is also expected to raise the issue of sale of Japanese US-2 amphibious aircraft to the Indian armed forces to guard their island territories.

India and Japan are also expected to regularise maritime cooperation and hold joint exercises.

Last month, the Japanese and Indian Navy held joint exercises in the Bay of Bengal after the maiden exercise was held off the coast of Tokyo in 2012.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is also expected to visit India later this month.