India and Japan Strengthen Ties

Japanese and Indian officials recently met to develop cooperative efforts and strengthen economic and security ties between the two countries. Indian officials said that Maritime Self-Defense Forces and the Indian Navy will conduct joint exercises in 2012 to improve security in the Indian Ocean and to protect sea lanes that Japan uses to import oil. On the economic-side, the leaders agreed that Japan will invest $4.5 billion over the next five years to promote the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor. Among other reasons, the two countries are seeking to support their mutual interests to offset China's growing military and economic power in the region.

Source: planetdata.net