INDIA. Mumbai: JMSDF Ship JS Makinami, a Takanami class destroyer, visited Western Naval Command, Mumbai, on a goodwill mission, and the crew of Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) interacted with their Indian counterpart and also visited places of cultural interest.
The ship is on passage to Manama, Bahrain, and is being deployed for anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden. She visited Mumbai from February 18 to February 20.
Captain Fujii Kenrichi, Commander Escort Division Seven (CED 7) and Commander Nose Koji, Commanding Officer JS Makinami, visited Rear Admiral Kunal Singh Rajkumar, Chief Staff, and discussed topics of mutual interest.
India and Japan conduct the JIMEX series of exercises regularly between their navies. Since 2015, Japan has also participated in the “Malabar” series of naval exercises, along with Australia. JS Uraga and Awaji visited Kochi from February 14 to February 16 before proceeding to the Persian Gulf to participate in a multilateral exercise.
The Japanese ships go to India as part of a plan to strengthen the Indo-Pacific region. Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe first put this plan forward.
There are also various security and Defence dialogue frameworks between Japan and India, including the “2 +2” meeting, annual Defence ministerial dialogue, and Coast Guard to Coast Guard dialogue.
Exercise “Dharma Guardian” began between the Indian and Japanese armies at Camp Imazu, Shiga Province, Japan, on February 17 and will continue until March 2. This is the fourth edition of the “Dharma Guardian” exercise between India and Japan.
Over the decades, both countries have endeavoured to enhance cooperation in maritime affairs, military logistics, and defence industrial matters to develop niche weapon systems.
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