Indian defense minister to visit Japan

Indian Defense Minister A.K. Antony will start a three-day visit to Japan Saturday to discuss with his Japanese counterpart Toshimi Kitazawa anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden and defense ties between the two countries, reported the Indo-Asian News Service on Friday.

A defense ministry spokesman said Antony would be discussing with Kitazawa " ongoing defense related interactions between the two countries and "explore ways to enhance mutual benefit", according to the report.

The conduct of joint exercises between the armed forces of both the countries and exchange of students in the defense training institutions of both countries would also be discussed with the Japanese side, said the report quoting the spokesman.

The two sides would also discuss the possibilities of coordination of efforts in anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden and other maritime security challenges, according to the report.

Source: Xinhua