Indian Navy Shares Close Relationship With Japan: Singh

VISHAKHAPATNAM: Rear Admiral Gurcharan Singh, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet, has said Japan Maritime Self Defense Force share close bonds of friendship with Indian Navy, which was built on a strong foundation of mutual trust and shared values.

"Our cooperation has strengthened over the years through regular bilateral exercises, ship visits, joint training and regular interactions at all levels," he said.

Addressing a joint press conference to mark the Japan-India Maritime Exercise, (JIMEX 23) here on Thursday, he said the first edition of the bilateral maritime exercise between the two sides was held in 2012. JIMEX has grown in scope and complexity over the years.

He said this year's JIMEX seeks to further build upon collaboation, mutual understanding and responses to common security challenges.

Rear Admiral Nishiyama Takahiro, commander, Indo-Pacific deployment 2023, JMSDF, said the current global strategic environment is characterised by an accelerating and increasingly complex shift in the balance of power and intensifying competition among nations in numerous fields. “Both Japan and India are maritime nations that face vast oceans and depend on the security of the sea lines of communication," he said.

"For both countries, securing the security environment in the Indo-Pacific is a lifeline that is vital for our own survival and prosperity. Today, both countries are hand- in-hand with the international community to address these global challenges, sharing common values and working together under a free and open maritime order. In this context, the role of our defense cooperation is becoming more important every day," Rear Admiral Nishiyama said.