Parrikar bats for boosting Indo-Japan defence cooperation
31 March 2015 6:14 AM IST
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Monday had a detailed discussion with his Japanese counterpart General Nakatani. The leaders discussed improving bilateral ties of the two countries and ‘enhancing’ relationship for “future cooperation in defence equipment and technology”, said a Defence Ministry official on Monday.
This is Parrikar’s maiden visit to a foreign country after assuming office. He will be in Japan till April 1.
Whether this ‘enhanced ties’ means buying amphibious aircrafts, for which the Japanese Diet (Parliament) had to amend the country’s constitution, is a matter of speculation.
Sources said the decision on amphibious aircrafts, which the Indian Navy is keen to buy, did not progress beyond discussion at the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) meet in February.
The minister hailed Japan’s participation in the Malabar Exercise, conducted by the USA and India in July 2014, along with occasional participations of Japan and Australia.
This is Parrikar’s maiden visit to a foreign country after assuming office. He will be in Japan till April 1.
Whether this ‘enhanced ties’ means buying amphibious aircrafts, for which the Japanese Diet (Parliament) had to amend the country’s constitution, is a matter of speculation.
Sources said the decision on amphibious aircrafts, which the Indian Navy is keen to buy, did not progress beyond discussion at the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) meet in February.
The minister hailed Japan’s participation in the Malabar Exercise, conducted by the USA and India in July 2014, along with occasional participations of Japan and Australia.
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