China opposed multinational naval exercise'

NEW DELHI (PTI): Former Japanese premier Shinzo Abe has said a proposed exercise involving the US, Australia, Japan and India faced opposition from China.

“I know that the naval exercise by the four countries faced a lot of opposition from China,” Abe said while addressing a gathering at the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) on Tuesday.

He was responding to a query on the present status of the naval exercises proposed to be involving the four countries.

Japan has taken part in trilateral exercises involving India and the US in the Pacific Ocean. It could not take part in the exercise this year due to the engagement of Japanese forces in relief operations after the Tsunami hit Fukushima nuclear plant and other installations there.

- Brahmand