US defence chief to visit Asia in April, May

US Defence Secretary Ash Carter will visit Asia in April and May in an attempt to affirm defence relationship with its allies, including India, the Department of Defence announced on Friday.

Carter will visit Japan on April 8-9. During his stay in Japan, he will meet senior Japanese officials to discuss the defence strategic guidelines review ahead of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's visit to Washington at the end of April, Xinhua reported citing a statement issued by the US Department of Defence.

On conclusion of his visit to Japan, Carter will then travel to Seoul on April 9-10, during which Carter will reiterate the US commitment to South Korea's security and discuss regional issues with South Korean officials.

In May, Carter will travel to Singapore and India, with a focus on building and strengthening growing partnerships in Southeast Asia and South Asia. The US defense secretary is expected to deliver a speech at the annual Shangri-La Dialogue security conference in Singapore.

During his visit to India, Carter will seek to strengthen US-India defence cooperation, including the Defence Technology and Trade Initiative that Carter started when he served as the deputy defence secretary, said the statement, adding that Carter also will engage India further on other Asia-Pacific issues.