Modi heads to Japan to seal nuke deal

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi headed to Japan yesterday to seal a landmark nuclear energy pact and strengthen ties, as China's regional influence grows and Donald Trump's election throws US policies across Asia into doubt.

India, Japan and the United States have been building security ties and holding three-way naval exercises, but Trump's "America First" campaign promise has stirred concern about a reduced US engagement in the region.

Such an approach by Washington could draw Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe even closer, said foreign policy commentator and former Indian ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.