New thrust in Indo-Japan defence ties

India and Japan are taking extensive steps to attain defence cooperation. India, for the first time, sent an Indian Air Force delegation, headed by Air Chief Marshal PV Naik, to Japan on Sunday. In another first, the armies of the two countries began their four-day staff-level talks in Delhi.

The four member Japanese delegation in Delhi, led by Major General Koichiro Bansho, will focus on the current status of military cooperation between the two countries and the way forward. The staff-level talks will also explore the possibility of joint army exercises between the two countries. The Indian Navy had, in the past, made port calls and participated in tri-services exercises with Japan. These talks would institutionalise the annual defence talks between India and Japan, army sources said.

India has also deputed a combined tri-service delegation from the Integrated Defence Staff (IDS) as observers for the ongoing Habu Nag exercise in the US Marine base in Okinawa, Japan. The Indian Army and Navy will particpate in this bilateral exercise
that has been an annual feature since 2006. Okinawa Island’s proximity to China adds to the military value of this event. India had backed out from this strategic exercise last year.

India, as of now, has army staff-level talks with Australia, Bangladesh, UK, USA, France, Singapore, Malaysia and Israel.