Indian Naval Ships Satpura and Kadmatt Visit Japan

The visit is to strengthen the bilateral naval relationship between the two nations

Indian Naval Ships Satpura and Kadmatt, in pursuance of India’s Act East Policy and demonstration of India’s commitment to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific Region, are visiting Sasebo, Japan from October 12 to 15. The visit is to strengthen the long standing, mutually supportive and strong relationship—cultural, spiritual, economic and security—between Japan and India.

The visiting Indian Naval ships will engage with the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) in formal calls, and also professional, social and sporting interactions. After the completion of the harbour phase, the ships will take part in Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with the Murusame Class destroyer, JS Kirisame.

Since the first ‘Navy to Navy Staff Talks’ between the two nations in November 2008, naval ties have reached new heights with bilateral and multilateral exercises and enhanced cooperation in information sharing, meteorology and oceanography, disaster management and military training. The defence and security interaction between both countries has since expanded to encompass a Defence Policy Dialogue and a Maritime Affairs Dialogue.

The navies of both the countries with their regular bilateral and multilateral maritime exercises have built strong naval relations. The erstwhile Japan – India Maritime Exercise (JIMEX) led to Japan participating in the ‘MALABAR’ exercise (a tripartite naval exercise between India, the US and Japan) since 2014. JMSDF Ships Izumo and Sazanami participated in the recently concluded edition of ExMALABAR off Chennai. Moreover, both navies have also participated in each other’s International Fleet Reviews (IFR) by deputing ships and high level delegations.  While INS Sahyadri participated in the IFR at Yokosuka in October 2015, JS Matsuyuki participated in the IFR at Visakhapatnam in February 2016.

The Indian Navy and JMSDF also have strong bilateral defence training cooperation, including at very senior levels. Further, in order to enhance interoperability and understanding, seminars and short term exchange programs are also conducted regularly in both countries with participation from both navies. This exchange has expanded to sporting interaction in the form of JMSDF participation in the annual international Admiral’s Cup Regatta at the Indian Naval Academy for the first time in 2016.