The Prime Ministers of Japan and Sri Lanka agreed to strengthen cooperation on maintaining maritime security in the Indian Ocean during their official talks in Tokyo.

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Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe met his Sri Lankan counterpart Ranil Wickremesinghe in Tokyo on Tuesday.

The leaders pledged to cooperate to ensure the safety of sea lanes in the Indian Ocean.

Japan has been apprehensive of China's increasing maritime activities in the region.

The two Prime Ministers also agreed to hold working-level talks by the year-end to discuss maritime security and anti-pollution measures.

Abe said he wants to build on the historic friendship between the two nations to create a comprehensive partnership.

Interestingly, his grandfather, Nobusuke Kishi, was the first Japanese prime minister to visit Sri Lanka after the Second World War.

Abe also pledged Japan's active cooperation for Sri Lanka's nation-building by helping to promote investment and improve infrastructure.

The pledge was made in connection with President Maithripala Sirisena's step to move away from the former government's pro-China diplomacy after he took office in January.

Wickremesinghe welcomed Abe's offer and said his country needs the bilateral partnership to cope with the many challenges it faces.

(With inputs from NHK)