Japan, India to agree on rare earth mineral pact

The Indian and Japanese government will exchange a memorandum to ensure stable export of Indian rare earth minerals to Japan. The document will be signed during Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s 4-day visit to Japan starting on Thursday. Prime Minister Singh will meet with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda. The two leaders are expected to agree on the export of thousand tons of rare earth minerals to Japan every year, according to Japan’s (NHK WORLD) website. Currently Japan depends mainly on China for the import of rare earth minerals. But the Japanese government is trying to diversify its sources. The two countries will also agree to strengthen defense security cooperation. Japanese and Indian forces conducted their first joint naval drill in June.