Japan, India agree on security cooperation

TOKYO, Oct. 22 (UPI) -- Japan and India, during a visit by Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, agreed Wednesday to further security cooperation but economic agreements were elusive.

The strategic security cooperation agreement would include joint exercises, ship visits and naval patrols, Kyodo news service reported, quoting Indian official sources.

An economic partnership agreement was expected to be announced during Singh's visit but differences over trade barriers remain to be ironed out, the report said.

Singh, who is visiting Japan after concluding a civilian nuclear deal with the United States, met with Japanese Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone.

He and Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso planned to issue a joint declaration after discussing comprehensive aspects of the bilateral relationship, Foreign Ministry spokesman Yasuhisa Kawamura said.

Other issues to be discussed may include Japan seeking India's cooperation in its campaign for a post-2012 global emissions cut framework, the report said.