The Defence Minister of Japan, Itsunori Onodera, will visit India from January 5-8. During his four-day visit, he will meet his Indian counterpart, A. K. Antony, among other officials.
The two sides are expected to discuss export of Japanese amphibious search and rescue aircraft, US-2, to India. Discussions on regularising the joint training exercises between Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) and the Indian Navy and the current security situation in South Sudan, where Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) and Indian Army are part of the United Nations peacekeeping operations, are also expected to be on the agenda for the meeting.
Since diplomatic relations between India and Japan were established in 1952, the two countries have enjoyed cordial relations. New Delhi and Tokyo established a ‘Global Partnership in the 21st Century’ during the visit of former Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori to India in August 2000.