Maritime security challenges, including anti-piracy operations in the Indian Ocean Region, will figure during Defence Minister A.K. Antony’s three-day visit to Japan, beginning on Sunday.
Mr. Antony, who left for Tokyo on Saturday, will be the first Cabinet Minister from India to visit Japan after the DPJ-led Government took over, a Defence Ministry release said.
Mr. Antony will review defence-related interactions between the two countries and explore ways of enhancing such exchanges. Joint military exercises and exchange of students from defence training institutions will also be discussed.
The Defence Secretary, the Scientific Adviser to the Defence Minister and senior officers of the armed forces have accompanied Mr. Antony. Chief of Army Staff General Deepak Kapoor is undertaking a four-day visit to Israel.
Gen. Kapoor will hold discussions with senior officials to further the military and strategic ties between New Delhi and Tel Aviv. The agenda includes terrorism, growing cooperation between the two armies and joint exercises.
