BEIJING, Jan 27 � China today downplayed Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe�s visit to India as a bilateral issue, even as the state-media termed the trip as a failure for not succeeding in pinning down Beijing.
�The visit you mentioned is an issue between India and Japan,� Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang told a media briefing while responding to a question on Abe�s just-concluded visit to India.
The visit evoked considerable media attention here in view of the China-Japan diplomatic standoff over the disputed islands in East China Sea.
On the emerging defence cooperation between India and Japan, Qin said, �we hope that development of defence cooperation between both countries will be conducive to peace, stability and security of the whole region.�
�Because peace, stability and security of the region should be upheld and safeguarded by all relevant countries,� he said.
During Abe�s visit, India invited Japan to join the India-US Malabar joint military exercises and the two countries discussed the sale of Japan�s US-2 amphibious aircraft to India. � PTI
