Sailing Stronger Together: Indo-Japan Coast Guards Drop Anchor for Joint Drill

Key Points

 

•⁠  ⁠Japanese Coast Guard vessel 'Itsukushima', commanded by Captain Naoki Mizoguchi, arrived at Chennai Port on July 7, 2025, and commenced a week-long series of bilateral training exercises with the Indian Coast Guard (ICG). The visit is under the JCG Global Ocean Voyage Training and is a demonstration of the enhanced maritime cooperation between India and Japan.

 

Bilateral Initiatives and Strategic Targets

 

•⁠  ⁠Port call is composed of senior-level exchanges between ICG and JCG officers in the form of return ship visits, courtesy calls, and bilateral discussions for the sake of strengthening operational coordination and mutual awareness.

 

•⁠  ⁠Professional and cultural interactions in combined form are arranged during the week, e.g., training, a combined yoga session, and sports activities at a friendly level, promoting friendship between the two naval forces.

 

•⁠  ⁠The highlight of the visit will be the bilateral sea exercise 'Jaa Mata' ('see you later') on 12 July. The exercise will be designed to enhance interoperability, coordination, and operational synergy at sea, in keeping with both countries' commitment to security in the Indo-Pacific.

 

Officer Exchange and Future Cooperation

 

•⁠  ⁠In a symbolic gesture of increased cooperation, the four ICG officers will sail on board 'Itsukushima' as Sea Riders on its onward voyage to Singapore. The exchange is aimed at strengthening professional relationships and enabling sharing of knowledge among the coast guards.

 

•⁠  ⁠It is founded on the 2006 Memorandum of Cooperation and is responsive to India's SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision and the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative, with a vision of a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific.

 

Relevance: The visit underscores the strategic partnership between Japan and India through its consolidation of maritime diplomacy, operational preparedness, and trust. It serves as a reflection of the common priorities of both countries towards regional stability and maritime security.

 

Sources: Millennium Post, Hindustan Times, Defence Stories, The Statesman