AlQa'dah 4, 1435, Aug 30, 2014, SPA -- The prime ministers of India and Japan are expected to emphasize the need for a "peaceful and stable maritime order," an apparent effort to curb China's growing assertiveness in the East and South China seas and the Indian Ocean, during their meetings next week, according to dpa. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi started a five-day visit to Japan on Saturday to boost defence, economic and energy cooperation between the two countries. This is Modi's first official visit outside South Asia since taking office in May. On Monday, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Modi are expected to agree to continue joint maritime drills between their countries and trilateral drills with the United States, the Kyodo News agency reported. China's growing assertiveness in the East and South China seas and the Indian Ocean is expected to be a focus of talks, Kyodo reported, citing unnamed government officials. Chinese Coast Guard ships have been repeatedly spotted near a group of disputed islands in the East China Sea that have been a source of tensions between Japan and China. The Japanese-administered Senkaku Islands are also claimed by China and Taiwan, where they are known as Diaoyu and Tiaoyutai, respectively. New Delhi has expressed interest in signing a nuclear pact with Tokyo. Japan's nuclear industry has welcomed the opportunity to expand into the Indian market because all of the country's 49 reactors are offline. India, however, has yet to join the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, an international accord, which has raised concerns in Japan about its push for civilian nuclear cooperation with the country. Modi and Abe are also likely to agree to jointly produce valuable rare-earth metals with India for the Japanese market, in an effort to reduce its dependence on China, the Nikkei business daily reported this week. Rare-earth elements are in high demand from technology companies, which use them in a number of components for mobile phones and cars. Abe was hosting a banquet for Modi in the ancient city of Kyoto on Saturday evening. On Sunday, the two will visit Toji Temple in the city while the Indian premier will meet local leaders.
