Antony on 3-nation visit from June 2

Seeking to strengthen military ties, Defence Minster A K Antony will be on a five-day visit starting June 2 to Singapore, Australia, and Thailand.
In his first stop in Singapore, Antony will be meeting his counterpart Ng Eng Hen, who had visited India in November last year.
"The two Defence Ministers will be meeting on Monday and are expected to discuss various bilateral cooperation issues as well as issues concerning the regional global security situations," a Defence Ministry release said.
After that, he will move to Australia on the first-ever visit by an Indian defence minister there.
"Antony will be received by the Australian Defence Minister Stephen Smith at Perth where both Ministers will attend a few ceremonial events before proceeding to Canberra," it said.

In Canberra, Antony will be holding detailed bilateral discussions with his Australian counterpart and is also expected to call on Prime Minister Julia Gillard.

"Both sides would be discussing measures to enhance exchanges between the defence establishments and armed forces of the two countries," the Ministry said.
On his return leg, the minister will visit Thailand in response to an invitation from the Thai defence minister who had visited India in December, 2012.
In the visit taking place shortly after the visit of the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh there, Antony will be meeting his counterpart Air Chief Marshal Sukumpol Suwanatat and is also expected to call on Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

"Both sides are expected to review on-going exchanges between the armed forces including possible enhancement of on-going Army and Navy exercises and joint patrols along the common maritime boundary between both countries," the Ministry said.