Dharma Guardian 2023 Strengthens Indo-Japan Defence Ties

The 6th Indo-Japan military exercise, Dharma Guardian, concluded at East Fuji, Japan, marking a significant milestone in bilateral defence cooperation. The exercise focused on urban counter-terrorism and included cultural exchanges, culminating in a successful validation phase underlining the deepened operational readiness and strong defence partnership between India and Japan.

The sixth edition of the India-Japan joint military exercise, Dharma Guardian, has successfully wrapped up at Japan's East Fuji Training Area, according to a statement by the Indian Army. The exercise, which ran from February 24 to March 9, marked a milestone in the countries' defence cooperation, with company-strength troop participation.

Lieutenant General Toriumi Seiji, Commanding General of the Japan Ground Self-Defence Force's 1st Division, attended the closing ceremony, praising the troops for achieving all exercise objectives. He highlighted the strengthened operational readiness and defence ties between India and Japan, focusing on enhanced cooperation and mutual understanding.

The exercise prioritized urban counter-terrorism operations and also covered UN peacekeeping, including Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief. The event featured cultural exchanges such as Yoga and martial arts, and ended with a 72-hour validation phase showcasing joint counter-terrorism capabilities.

(With inputs from agencies.)