India, the United States and Japan on Monday wrapped up six days of naval exercises, reflecting closer military ties between the three countries.

India, the United States and Japan on Monday wrapped up six days of naval exercises, reflecting closer military ties between the three countries.

It is the second consecutive year Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) has taken part in the Malabar Exercise, conducted annually by the US and India off the Andamans archipelago in the Bay of Bengal.

India's defense ministry said the October 14-19 drills were "part of the process of enhancing naval cooperation among important navies of Indo-Pacific regions".

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who enjoyed close ties with his Japanese counterpart as well as with US President Barack Obama, has criticized what he called China's "expansionist mindset".

Japan had taken part in the exercises in 2007 and 2008 but only resumed its participation last year after Modi's election.

Washington has increasingly turned its focus to Asia as it looks to counter China's growing influence and a military build-up that has unnerved some of its regional neighbors.

"This exercise sends a good message to China and the rest of South Asia, and it is symbolic in the sense that it says 'we're not backing off'," said independent Indian analyst Madhu Bhalla.

Beijing, however, said it did not believe the exercises targeted China.

"Countries around the world have all kinds of activities and cooperation. We don't think all these activities are targeting China," said foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying.