India-Japan Military Cooperation Strengthens with Exercise DHARMA GUARDIAN 2025

A contingent of 120 Indian Army soldiers departed to participate in the 6th edition of Exercise DHARMA GUARDIAN with Japan at East Fuji Manoeuvre Training Area in Japan from February 24 to March 9, 2025. The annual exercise takes place in rotation between India and Japan to promote higher-level military cooperation between the two armies based on UN counter-terrorism and urban warfare mandates.

Key Details of the Exercise

Participants:

• India: 120 personnel from the MADRAS Regiment, along with other units.

• Japan: 34th Infantry Regiment of the Japan Ground Self Defence Force (JGSDF).

• Location: East Fuji Manoeuvre Training Area, Japan.

• Duration: February 24 – March 9, 2025.

• Previous Edition: Held in Rajasthan, India (Feb-Mar 2024).

Objectives and Focus Areas

• Building operational effectiveness by improving combined forces able to conduct urban combat and terrorism response.

• Physical fitness standards will be improved through enhanced joint planning elements which in turn enable execution of tactical drills.

• The forces should practice disaster response maneuvers to build their joint operational capacities.

Strategic Importance

• The initiative follows India’s Army Chief making his official visit to Japan during October 2024.

• India increases its cooperation with Japan for defence operations in the Indo-Pacific region.

• The exercise strengthens military cooperation between countries because of regional security challenges that have arisen.

Conclusion

The annual Exercise DHARMA GUARDIAN 2025 builds military cooperation between India and Japan through joint training of urban warfare methods and counter-terrorism responses as well as disaster relief strategies. Each year the drill strengthens defensive partnerships and operational effectiveness in the Indo-Pacific area as both countries dedicate themselves to maintaining regional security peace.