Dharma-Guardian 2018, Joint Military Exercise Between Indian Army And Japan Ground Self Defence Force to Begin From November 1

India and Japan are set to hold their first ever joint military exercise ‘Dharma-Guardian 2018’. The exercise will be conducted between the Indian Army and Japan Ground Self Defence Force at Counter Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School in Vairengte, Mizoram from November 1 to 14, 2018. The main aim of this exercise is to enhance interoperability and cohesion. The 6/1 Gorkha Rifles will represent the Indian contingent, while the Japanese contingent will be represented by 32 Infantry Regiment.

#ExDharmaGuardian. First ever joint training between #IndianArmy and Japan Ground Self-Defence Force will be conducted from 01 Nov to 14 Nov 18 at #CounterInsurgency and #JungleWarfare School. Aim of the #Exercise is to enhance interoperability & cohesion. pic.twitter.com/YNMb8snmrB

— ADG PI – INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) October 29, 2018

Both the sides will execute well developed tactical drills for enhancing their capability of countering threats in urban warfare scenario. The exercise will also strengthen the bilateral strategic ties between both the countries. Earlier this month, bilateral maritime exercise JIMEX-18 was also held between India and Japan in Visakhapatnam. Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) Ships Kaga, an Izumo Class Helicopter Destroyer and Inazuma, a guided missile destroyer participated in the exercise. The exercise concluded on October 15. The ships from the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) of the Indian Navy took part in the exercise.

Japan is also a permanent participant in the Malabar series of naval exercises since 2015. It originally started between the Indian and U.S. navies in 1992. The Malabar 2018 trilateral exercise was held off Guam in June. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his recent visit to Japan signed several key agreements including a $75 billion swap agreement. Terms and conditions of this agreement is not yet in the open, but Japan had signed this type of agreement with other countries like China, Singapore and Malaysia. According to this agreement, japan will lend India up to $75 billion over a period of time.  At the time of redemption, the cost of the dollar will remain the same and hence there is no exchange risk. However, Japan will charge a swap rate which can be linked to LIBOR (London Inter-bank Offered Rate).