Japan, India leaders build ties amid trade, security worries

TOKYO (AP) — The leaders of Japan and India are reaffirming their ties amid growing worries about trade and regional stability.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who arrived Saturday, is meeting Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at a resort area near Mount Fuji on Sunday. Modi is also visiting a nearby plant of major Japanese robot maker Fanuc.

Relations with China are a major issue shared by Modi and Abe, as their cooperation may balance China's growing regional influence and military assertiveness.

Modi has been urging countries in the region to unite against protectionism and cross-border tensions.

India and Japan are also set to hold the first joint military exercises involving ground forces next month.

Abe just returned from China, where he met Chinese President Xi Jinping.