New Delhi, Mar 9 (IANS): India and Japan held their first Space Dialogue here on Friday with discussions centering on cooperation between their space agencies as also on global navigation satellite system, space situational awareness (SSA), space security and space-related norms.

The Indian delegation was led by Indra Mani Pandey, Additional Secretary for Disarmament and International Security Affairs, Ministry of External Affairs, while the Japanese delegation was co-led by Kansuke Nagaoka, Deputy Assistant Minister, Foreign Policy Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Mr. Shuzo Takada, Director General, National Space Policy Secretariat, Cabinet Office.

The dialogue brought together ministries and agencies related to outer space in the two countries and provided an opportunity for information exchange on the respective space policies.

"Discussions were also held on bilateral cooperation between Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), their space industries, global navigation satellite system, space situational awareness (SSA), space security and space-related norms," an official release said.

China is making strides in the space sector and India and Japan are striving for higher level of cooperation in various critical areas.