Tokyo, December 31 Japan’s military is stepping up its defence of islands also claimed by China and will propose talks with India on diplomatic and security issues as part of attempts to counter China’s growing military might in Asia, a report in the country’s largest business newspaper, the Nihon Keizai, said on Saturday.

According to the report, the country will propose bilateral talks with India on diplomatic and security issues - and on holding regular visits by their respective defence ministers—in part to discuss ways to curb China’s growing influence in Asia.

Japanese foreign minister Taro Aso will raise the issue on a trip to India starting Tuesday, it said. He is slated to meet President Kalam and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, and is also scheduled to visit Pakistan.

Japan plans to propose regular discussions between the Japanese and Indian foreign ministers on both nations’ bids for permanent UN Security Council seats, the creation of a pan-Asian economic and strategic community, and military affairs in Asia, it said.

The report came days after Aso said Beijing poses “a considerable military threat” because it has nuclear weapons and is boosting its military spending. China called the remarks irresponsible and groundless.