India - Japan To Conduct First Joint Naval Exercises

As part of their increased defense ties, the navies of India and Japan will hold their first joint exercises June 9-10 in Japanese waters.

The joint naval exercises follow agreements reached during the visit of Indian Defense Minister A.K. Antony to Japan in November 2011. Both navies will also conduct routine passage exercises during the visit of Japanese ships to Indian ports this year.

“The engagement between the Navies of India and Japan is part of the overall defence cooperation between both countries. Defence exchanges between India and Japan presently comprise annual Defence Minister level meetings, Defence Policy dialogue at Defence Secretary level and Army and Naval Staff talks,” says the official release of the Indian Defence Ministry.

India and Japan also are writing a joint Defence Action Plan, which has been discussed several times at diplomatic levels between the two countries.

In addition, India and Japan are discussing the possibility of establishing a trilateral strategic dialogue that would include the United States. The proposal has been discussed between the foreign ministers of the two countries, said sources.

While some analysts here see the proposed trilateral dialogue as a move to contain the growing influence of China, others see the buildup of new regional relationships.

Defense News