Aiming to strengthen defence and security cooperation, Army chief General Bikram Singh today embarked on a four-day visit to Japan, where he will hold interaction with its top military leadership.
"Gen Singh's visit to Japan is part of the ongoing high level exchanges between the two countries and highlights the importance of India's peaceful and friendly ties with Japan," Army officials said here.
India's relations with Japan have undergone a significant transformation since the establishment of India-Japan Global Partnership for the 21st century in August 2000 and establishment of Indo-Japan Strategic and Global Partnership in 2006, they said.
"Defence and security cooperation have emerged as the key components of this strategic partnership. A Defence Policy Dialogue has been established between the two countries and Army-to-Army Staff Talks have also been institutionalised," they said.
With humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, exchange of training courses and cooperation in United Nation Peace Keeping Operations becoming an integral part of India-Japan bilateral military relations, the two sides have indicated a desire to further enhance cooperation in other areas of mutual interest, the officials said.
During the four-day visit, Gen Singh will interact with the Chief of General Staff and Chief of Army Staff of Japanese Self Defence Forces and Defence Minister of Japan.
He will also discuss issues to enhance military cooperation apart from visiting the training establishments and various formation headquarters.
"This visit will further cement the historic ties between India and Japan, especially the military-to-military contacts, which are based on a shared commitment to world peace and regional security," they said.