Date:20/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/20/stories/2008082060611300.htm

National

Indo-Japan naval exercise

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: India will renew its security ties with Japan with a joint naval exercise off the Mumbai coast this week, official sources said.

Both countries have been stepping up security-related cooperation and the latest affirmation came during the recent strategic dialogue between the Foreign Ministers. Three Japanese ships — JDS Kashima, JDS Asagiri and JDS Umigiri — will visit Indian waters from August 23 to 26. Although Pasex is seen as a preliminary exercise between the two navies, the sources said, this edition with Japan would be quite advanced.