DHAKA: Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe met with Indonesian president Joko Widodo Monday to forge tighter economic and defense ties, as Tokyo works to court friends in the face of a rising China.

The two nations agreed to tighter cooperation on coastal security, regular talks between their respective defense and foreign ministers, and greater Japanese investment in Indonesia.

‘We wish to contribute to the peace and prosperity of this region and the international community by strengthening our strategic partnership with Indonesia, which, like Japan, is a maritime nation and democracy,’ Abe told Joko as they began their talks.

Joko’s visit to Tokyo is a part of his week-long tour of Japan and China, aimed at attracting investment and forging closer political ties, reports The Straits Times.

BDST: 1853 HRS, MAR 23, 2015