New Delhi, Nov 9 (IANS) Defence Minister A.K. Antony, who is on his maiden visit to Japan, Monday met his Japanese counterpart Toshimi Kitazawa and in a joint statement said the two countries would step up joint anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden.
“This is the maiden visit of the defence minister to Japan. Recognising their mutual interest in the safety of sea lanes, both the countries have decided to extend cooperation in the field of maritime security, especially in the area of combating piracy off the coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden,” defence ministry spokesperson Sitanshu Kar said Monday.

Antony met Kitazawa and issued a joint statement after reviewing the defence cooperation between the countries.

“The two ministers condemned terrorist activities and expressed their determination to enhance cooperation in the fight against terrorism,” Kar added.

The two countries have been holding discussions on the development of a Defence Action Plan (DAP), which is expected to be signed during Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama’s visit to India next year.

Antony was accompanied by a high-level delegation, including Defence Secretary Pradeep Kumar, Scientific Advisor to the defence minister V.K. Saraswat and Vice Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral D.K. Dewan.