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Context:

• The 6th edition of Exercise Dharma Guardian between India and Japan will happen from February 25 to March 9, 2025.
• Location : Mount Fuji, Japan.
• The focus will be on joint urban warfare & counter terrorism operations under a UN mandate.

Who will Participate?

Both Forces from India & Japan will participate in the drills, & exercise will involve a mix of urban warfare and counter-terrorism tactics.

Objectives:

• It's Focus on strengthening India Japan defense relations.
• It aims to improve interoperability between both forces.
• In this exercise, Training will concentrate on urban warfare & counter terrorism tactics.
• Exercise will simulate UN mandated

About India Japan Relations:

• In the 6th Century, Buddhism was introduced to Japan from India.
• In 1952, Japan & India signed a peace treaty & established diplomatic relations.
• After WWII, India's iron ore helped Japan to recover economically.
• Between 1957-58, visit of Japanese PM Kishi's Led to Japan’s first yen loan to India.

What are the Recent Developments between India and Japan?

• In 2000, PM Yoshiro Mori visited India to strengthen bilateral ties & established the “Global Partnership.”
• In 2005, Annual Japan India summit meetings began. It was initiated by PM Koizumi’s visit.
• In 2006, Relations were upgraded to Global and Strategic Partnership during PM Manmohan Singh visit.
• In 2015 , Vision 2025 was also launched to collaborate in political, economic, & strategic areas.
• Between 2016 and 2023, there were continued diplomatic visits. And both leaders focused on Free & Open Indo-Pacific.

Security Cooperation between India and Japan

• In 2008, the Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation was signed.
• India & Japan also hold“2+2” Dialogue. It means Regular meetings between Foreign and Defense Ministers.
• In 2020, the Acquisition & Cross Servicing Agreement (ACSA) was signed. & It became operational in 2021.

What are the Economic Relations between India and Japan

• In 2021, Japan was India's 13th largest trading partner, & India was Japan's 18th partner.
• Japan also became India’s 5th largest investor in FY2021. & 1,400 Japanese companies operate in India.
• Initiatives:
  • 5 trillion yen investment target focuses on promoting Japanese investment in India.
  • Clean Energy Partnership which means Joint efforts to achieve carbon neutrality (using hydrogen, ammonia, & LNG).

Are there any other joint exercises between India and Japan ?

1. Shakti (Army exercise)
2. JIMEX (Naval exercise)
3. Dharma Guardian (Army exercise, focused on counter terrorism operations)

So, this is how Japan and India are focusing on deepening their relations & promoting economic growth, strategic partnership & shared commitment to regional stability.

Source: DD