Japanese Defence Minister Gen Nakatani cuts short India trip

NEW DELHI: Japanese Defence Minister Gen Nakatani, who is scheduled to arrive here tomorrow, has cut short his trip from three days to just one day.

Though there was no official word on the reasons for the Japanese side curtailing the visit, the move comes amid increasing tension in the South China Sea region following a UN-backed international tribunal ruling against China's claims over the troubled waters.

Gen Nakatani will hold talks with his counterpart Manohar Parrikar at his South Block office tomorrow afternoon.

The two sides could issue a joint statement after the talks, defence sources said.

The talks will focus on greater defence cooperation, including defence manufacturing.

During Parrikar's visit to Japan last year, Japanese leaders had emphasised on the commonality of strategic interests between the two countries and conveyed Japan's desire to enhance bilateral defence and security cooperation, including in the field of maritime security.

They had also said Japan would like to further enhance economic cooperation with India and work jointly to enhance regional connectivity.

India and Japan are looking at deepening bilateral defence cooperation amid Tokyo's ongoing tussle with Beijing.

Japan has been witnessing conflict with China over control of private islands in South China Sea. A territorial dispute even exists between China and Japan over the Senkaku Islands, which Beijing refers to as the Diaoyu Islands.

India considers relations with Japan very important, which is evident from the fact that Parrikar chose Japan as the first country to visit after assuming office of Defence Minister.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had had told Parrikar that "a strong" India-Japan partnership was not only in the "national interest of the two" but also "important for peace and security in the region".