In an effort to strengthen bilateral military ties, the armed forces of India and Japan are set to commence the fifth iteration of Exercise Dharma Guardian on February 25 at the Mahajan Field Firing Range in Rajasthan. This 14-day joint military exercise aims to facilitate the exchange of operational experiences to enhance interoperability in planning and execution.
The upcoming exercise will focus on sharing best practices in joint tactical-level operations in a semi-urban environment, aligning with the United Nations mandate. Previous editions of the exercise were held in Camp Imazu in Shiga province, Japan, emphasizing physical fitness and tactical drills.
Throughout the exercise, troops of the two QUAD member countries will engage in various missions, including joint planning, tactical drills, and establishing integrated surveillance grids.
This exercise signifies the continued expansion of the military-to-military relationship between New Delhi and Tokyo since the establishment of a joint security partnership in 2008. Both countries conduct bilateral exercises, including the Japan-India Maritime Exercise (JIMEX) and Veer Guardian for their navies and air forces, respectively. Additionally, they participate in the Malabar exercise alongside other naval forces.
The first joint military exercise between the armies of India and Japan occurred in 2018 at the Counter Insurgency Warfare School in Vairengte, Mizoram.
This year’s exercise aims to enhance interoperability and tactical proficiency, building on the momentum of previous editions.
Joint training sessions during Exercise Dharma Guardian will focus on planning and executing tactical drills to neutralize potential threats in urban warfare scenarios. At the conclusion of the exercise, experts from both sides will conduct detailed discussions to exchange insights and expertise on various operational aspects.
The primary objective of Exercise Dharma Guardian is to foster Army-to-Army relations and facilitate the exchange of skills and experiences between the two-armed forces. Furthermore, the exercise will deepen mutual understanding and respect, contributing to the global fight against terrorism.
To bolster bilateral security and defence cooperation, both countries have established the 2+2 Strategic Dialogue, where foreign and defence ministers convene. Existing mechanisms, such as the Annual Defence Ministerial Dialogue, Defence Policy Dialogue, and National Security Advisers’ Dialogue, further enhance coordination and collaboration between India and Japan.