apanese Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) Ship JS Makinami is on a visit to Mumbai.
“JMSDF Ship JS Makinami, a Takanami class destroyer, is on a goodwill visit to Mumbai from 18 to 20 Feb,” informed Western Naval Command. Earlier, the top defence officials of both countries discussed subjects of common interest at the Headquarters of Western Naval Command.
“Captain FUJII Kenrichi, Commander Escort Division Seven (CED 7) and Cdr NOSE Koji, Commanding Officer JS Makinami, accompanied by Capt TACHIBANA Hiroshi, DA of Japan in India, called on RAdm Kunal Singh Rajkumar, CSO (Ops) at Headquarters of Western Naval Command, and discussed subjects of common interest,” tweeted Western Command.
Notably, India and Japan kick-started an exercise ‘Ex Dharma Guardian’ at Camp Imazu in Shiga Province in Japan from 17 February to 2 March, 2023.
This is the 4th edition of the Exercise ‘Dharma Guardian’ between India and Japan.
Strengthening the Indo-Pacific region, a concept first articulated by former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, was at the top of Prime Minister of India’s meeting with his Japan’s counterpart in Tokyo, where Indian Prime Minister attended Mr. Abe’s state funeral. During Prime Minister’s visit to Japan in October 2008, two leaders issued “the Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation between Japan and India”. There are also various frameworks of security and defence dialogue between Japan and India including the “2+2” meeting, annual Defence Ministerial Dialogue and Coast Guard-to-Coast Guard dialogue.
India and Japan defence forces organise a series of bilateral exercises namely, JIMEX, SHINYUU Maitra, and Dharma Guardian. Both countries also participate in the Malabar exercise with the USA.
