Japan and India to conduct fighter jet drill in bid to deepen security ties

NEW DELHI – Japan and India agreed Saturday to conduct their first joint fighter aircraft exercise in Japan as part of efforts to promote bilateral security cooperation in the face of China's military buildup and regional assertiveness. In inaugural "two-plus-two" security talks, the nations' foreign and defense ministers also welcomed the significant progress in negotiations for a pact that would allow the sharing of defense capabilities and supplies including fuel and ammunition. They called for a speedy conclusion to the acquisition and cross-servicing agreement (ACSA), according to a joint statement issued after the talks in New Delhi. The two governments are planning to sign the deal when Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visits India for talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in mid-December, according to Japanese officials. Tokyo and New Delhi aim to have a joint exercise involving fighter jets from the Air Self-Defense Force and the Indian Air Force next year, the officials said.