By Anadolu staff
ANKARA – India and Japan held maritime drills, and the partnership between the two nations is a “crucial pillar for ensuring peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific maritime domain,” according to officials.
Indian Naval Ship (INS) Sahyadri, an indigenously built guided missile stealth frigate, participated in the sea phase of JAIMEX-25 (Japan-India Maritime Exercise) from Oct. 16 to 18 and made a port call at Yokosuka, Japan, on Oct. 21, the Indian Defense Ministry said.
It said prior to arriving at Yokosuka, INS Sahyadri and JMSDF (Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force) ships Asahi, Oumi, and submarine Jinryu participated in the sea phase of the exercise.
“The sea phase included advanced anti-submarine warfare and missile defense drills, enhancing interoperability by undertaking flying operations and underway replenishment,” the ministry said.
The ministry noted that JAIMEX-25 underscores the “strong and burgeoning navy-to-navy interactions that underpin the ‘special strategic and global partnership’ established between India and Japan in 2014.”
“This partnership is a crucial pillar for ensuring peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific maritime domain,” it said.
According to the Indian government, the strategic partnership between India and Japan has “been very robust for a long time with significant focus on defense and maritime cooperation.”
“The Indian Navy and JMSDF have been at the forefront of this growing partnership with a shared vision of a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region,” the ministry said.