NEW DELHI: Japan and India may start a bilateral group to discuss security in the South China Sea, according to Japanese media. This grouping of senior officials would be set up during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh ’s forthcoming visit to Tokyo on November 15.

The Asahi Shimbun reported that Japanese PM Yoshihiko Noda would be looking for a security alliance with India as Japan attempts to counter a belligerent China over the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea. Part of this exercise could involve increased naval exercises.

Japan and India already hold bilateral exercises as well as “pass-ex” manouvers. The Japanese PM will also propose that the Maritime Self-Defence Force and the Indian Navy hold joint exercises in the Indian Ocean in addition to existing drills around Japan, the Japanese newspaper said.

In September, Japan placed three of the five islands under state ownership and China has been patrolling aggressively in the region since then.

The Japanese also briefed Indian and US officials on the dispute in their recent trilateral meeting. Sources said this particular issue has dangerous portents if it goes out of control. Recently, Japanese businesses, cars and embassy came under attack in China amid vociferous protests on the islands issue.

