(VOVworld) -  Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida and Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj agreed Saturday to strengthen the trilateral alliance with the United States, Japanese officials said. During their talks, Kishida told Swaraj that the Self-Defense Forces will continue to participate in the joint naval exercises of India and the United States.

Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida and Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj ahead of their meeting in New Delhi on January 17, 2015. Photo: AP

Both sides shared the view that the two countries should step up efforts to promote security ties by holding vice ministerial-level talks of foreign and defense ministers at an early date. The two ministers also exchanged views over potential exports of the Maritime Self-Defense Force’s U.S.-2 amphibious aircraft to India. They also agreed to advance negotiations over a civil nuclear pact and economic cooperation to help build infrastructure in the emerging economy. Kishida told reporters after the meeting that promoting bilateral cooperation between Japan and India will contribute to resolving issues in the world and the region.