Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee, currently in Japan on an official visit, today announced that strategic cooperation between the two countries needed to aim at maritime security in the sea lanes of trade, including the Malacca Straits.After a meeting with Japan’s Minister for Land, Infrastructure and Transport Kazuo Kitagawa, Mukherjee said, ‘‘The security of sea lanes, which carry major energy sources, and the growing concentration of lethal weapons at the hands of non-state actors require the collective intervention of the world community who have interest in peace and stability of the world.’’‘‘Therefore, we do feel, in order to ensure the maritime security in the Indian Ocean, cooperation on Malacca Straits between India and Japan will be helpful,’’ he added.The two countries decided to enhance cooperation to tackle transnational organised crimes at sea, such as piracy, armed robbery, trafficking in illegal migration, arms and drugs. They also agreed to cooperate in search and rescue operations and protection of marine environment.Concrete measures decided as part of the joint statement include annual Coast Guard talks, regular exchange of visits, exchange of Coast Guard ship visits, combined exercises for anti-piracy, search and rescue and disaster relief.Earlier in the day, the Defence Minister visited Nippon Electronic Corporation (NEC), one of Japan’s electronics giants, which also participates in a big way in the country’s defence market. As the Indian armed forces move towards obtaining a network-centric capability, replete with the best digital communications technology, New Delhi sees Japan as providing crucial niche products in the modernisation process.Indian Army teams conquer Mt Cho Oyu New Delhi: Six army personnel completed the first-ever ascent by an Indian team of the 8,201-metre Mount Cho Oyu in Tibet, the sixth highest mountain in the world, on May 23. Seven other members of the team climbed the peak on Friday. Cho Oyu is the fifth mountain higher than 8,000 metres conquered by the Indian Army. The expedition was led by Lt Col Anand Swaroop and included Naib Subedar CN Bodh, who is now the only Indian to have climbed five of the eight mountains higher than 8,000 metre.
