"Abe wants to build a close security partnership with India so as to contain China on both its eastern and western fronts. It also wants support in its territorial dispute with China," a commentary in the web edition of the China Daily said.
The commentary said Abe, who has sought to build security options for Japan beyond the current US-centric framework, has argued that his country's ties with India hold "the greatest potential of any bilateral relationship anywhere in the world."
China has dispute with Japan over Senkaku islands in East China Sea.
