Indian Navy aircraft in Japan for bilateral anti-sub exercise

The Indian Navy said on Wednesday that its P8I aircraft have reached in Atsugi, Japan for bilateral anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and subject matter expert exchange with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).

Further, the crew will plan and execute Maritime Reconnaissance and ASW operations along with JMSDF.

Earlier in December last year, INS Kadmatt, on a long-range operational deployment to the North Pacific Ocean, entered Japan's Yokosuka for an Operational Turnaround (OTR), the Ministry of Defence said.

The interactions with the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) included cross-ship visits, a professional exchange of ideas, a Joint Yoga Camp, and a coordination meeting for the Maritime Partnership Exercise (MPX).

The visit of INS Kadmatt to Japan was aimed at further bolstering maritime cooperation between India and Japan.

India and Japan share 'Special Strategic and Global Partnership'. Friendship between the two countries has a long history rooted in spiritual affinity and strong cultural and civilisational ties.

India-Japan Defence and Security partnership forms an integral pillar of bilateral ties, the Ministry of External Affairs said.

India-Japan defence exchanges have gained strength in recent years due to growing convergence on strategic matters and its significance is growing from the common outlook on issues of peace, security and stability of the Indo-Pacific Region.

(ANI)