Japan, India seen close to signing moon exploration pact
The Indian Space Research Organisation and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency are said to be close to agreeing a joint mission to the moon, the first of many potential collaborations in the future. The two countries are also discussing the possibility of using their space technology for weather monitoring and gathering data for climate-change studies. Japan and India have both previously carried out successful moon missions, and analysts have dismissed suggestions the joint venture is aimed negatively at China.

New Delhi (Sputnik) — The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) are working on a joint lunar mission, which will be the third for both countries. According to ISRO Chief AS Kiran Kumar, the two space agencies have enhanced collaboration in the recent years.

"We are looking at a possible joint lunar mission which is still in a very preliminary stage. We are working on the details at the moment. The relationship between India and Japan in terms of the space agencies has had a visible change. We are working together for possible future cooperative missions," ISRO chairman AS Kiran Kumar said during the 24th Session of Asia Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF) held in the Indian city of Bangalore.

The president of JAXA, Naoki Okumura, also expressed optimism.