Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday met his Japanese and Philippines counterparts on the sidelines Association of South Eastasian Nations(ASEAN)Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) - Plus meeting in Vientiane, Laos, defence ministry said here.

Giving details, officials said Rajnath met his Japan counterpart  Gen Nakatani and Secretary of National Defence (Defence Minister) of the Philippines Gilberto Teodoro on the final day of his three-day visit to Laos.

India and Japan reiterated the importance of defence industry and technology cooperation between the two countries. Recalling the milestone event of signing of Memorandum of Implementation of UNICORN mast in Japan last week, both sides agreed for enhanced cooperation in co-production and co-development in the defence manufacturing sector.

To further improve inter-operability between the Indian and Japanese forces, Reciprocal Provision of Supply and Services Agreement between the two countries and participation of militaries in various bilateral and multilateral exercises were discussed by both the Ministers. They also agreed to explore new areas of cooperation in the air domain.

Rajnath Singh welcomed the Philippines as country coordinator for India in ASEAN and ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) - Plus forum for the next cycle. Both sides agreed to expand and deepen cooperation in exchange of subject matter experts, defence industry, counter-terrorism, space and maritime domain.

Prior to his departure to New Delhi, Rajnath Singh also visited the Wat Sisakat Temple (a Buddhist Temple) in Vientiane, and sought blessings from Shri Mahaveth Chittakaro, Abbot of Sisaket Temple.

During his three-day stay in Vientiane, Rajnath Singh attended the 11th ADMM-Plus, and held bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Malaysia, Lao PDR, China, US, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Australia, Japan and the Philippines.