According to sources, Onodera had an extensive discussions with the Indian Defence Minister AK Antony here on Monday in which it was agreed that Indian Navy will leave for Japan to conduct bilateral exercise with Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force sometime in the current calender year.

Onodera also called upon the Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and discussed with him. Also the Chief Representative of New Komeito Party of Japan Natsuo Yamaguchi called upon the Indian Vice President Hamid Ansari.

The Indian Defence Minister AK Antony will also visit Japan in 2014. Both sides would carry out high-level mutual visits every year.

India and Japan agreed to hold the third '2 plus 2' dialogue and the fourth Defence Policy Dialogue (at Administrative Vice-Minister/Secretary of Defence level) in Delhi in 2014.

Apart from bilateral defence relations, both Onodera and Antony discussed the relevance of India-Japan-US Trilateral.

Japan's intention for preparing itself for a defence shield in East Asia is in response to Chinese East China Sea Air Defence Identification Zone and its claim over the islands in the East China Sea, called the Diaoyu by China and the Senkaku by Japan, which are believed to be surrounded by energy-rich seabed.

Japan has decided to increase its budgeted spending on defence.

The Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe recent visit to the war memmorial at Yasukuni alongwith a Shinto priest is being viewed by the neighbouring countries as Japan's intention for reviving the pre-World War-II spirit. The Yasukuni Shrine is regarded by China, North Korea and South Korea as a symbol of Japan's imperial military past and they have reacted to Abe's presence there. However, Abe said he went there to pray for the souls of the war dead and not to honor war criminals.

At the meeting here on Monday, Onodera and Antony extensively and frankly exchanged ideas regarding regional and global security challenges, as well as bilateral defence cooperation and exchanges between India and Japan. They shared views on issues relating to the peace, stability and prosperity of the region. Minister Onodera briefed on Japan's National Security Strategy and the National Defence Program Guidelines, which were adopted in December 2013. The Indian Defence Minister Antony appreciated the detailed briefing, the sources said.

The two Ministers appreciated the progress on India-Japan bilateral defence cooperation and exchanges that had been achieved in a variety of fields and at various levels, including the holding of the third Defence Policy Dialogue which was decided during the 2011 Defence Ministerial meeting, the second '2 plus 2' dialogue and the second bilateral training between the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force and the Indian Navy which was held from December 19-22, 2013.

The two Ministers also shared views on the necessity to conduct high-level and working-level regular consultations and exchanges, deepening Services exchanges and education/academic research exchanges and making other efforts, in order to further strengthen mutual trust and mutual understanding. They also decided to strengthen India-Japan defence consultation and cooperation, including those related to maritime security to further consolidate and strengthen the Strategic and Global Partnership between Japan and India.

Both India and Japan agreed to promote exchanges on UN Peacekeeping Operations between Japan Peacekeeping Training and Research Centre, Joint Staff College (JPC), Central Readiness Force of Japan Ground Self Defence Force (JGSDF) and Centre for UN Peacekeeping (CUNPK) of the Indian Army.

They agreed to conduct expert exchanges in humanitarian assistance/disaster relief and counter terrorism between both Indian Army and Japan Ground Self Defence Force (JGSDF) and continue to conduct staff exchanges and discuss possibility of conducting staff talks between Japan Air Self-Defence Force and Indian Air Force and professional exchanges of test-pilots, professional exchanges in the field of flight safety and between their transport squadrons.