India, Japan to expand cooperation in peace-keeping, anti-piracy and disaster relief

India and Japan will expand bilateral and regional cooperation under the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) in the field of peace-keeping, peace-building and disaster relief.

This was decided at a meeting between visiting defence minister AK Antony and his Japanese counterpart Toshimi Kitazawa in Tokyo.

In a joint statement issued at the end of a comprehensive review of defence cooperation between the two countries, the ministers expressed their firm determination "to take forward bilateral defence exchanges and cooperation in a meaningful way."

The two ministers held in-depth discussion on defence exchanges and cooperation. Regional and international security situation also came up for discussion at the meeting, an official release said today.

The two ministers condemned terrorist activities and expressed their determination to enhance cooperation in the fight against terrorism.

The two countries also recognised their mutual interest in the safety of sea-lines of communications and welcomed recent reinforcement of cooperation in the field of maritime security between the two defence authorities as well as the inauguration of Japan-India Maritime Security Dialogue, which was held in India last month.