Exercise Dharma Guardian: India-Japan Counter-Terror Ops

Exercise Dharma Guardian 2024

Exercise Dharma Guardian is an annual joint military exercise between the Indian Army and the Japan Ground Self Defence Force (JGSDF) that aims to enhance defence cooperation and interoperability between the two forces. The 5th edition of Exercise Dharma Guardian is being conducted from 25th February to 9th March 2024 at the Mahajan Field Firing Range in Rajasthan, India.

The bilateral Dharma Guardian exercise holds strategic importance for defence ties between India and Japan, with the 2024 edition witnessing the participation of 40 personnel each from the Indian Army and Japanese Ground Self Defence Forces. It enables sharing of expertise and best practices between the Indian Army and JGSDF to execute joint counter-terrorism operations and humanitarian assistance missions under United Nations mandates.

Exercise Dharma Guardian 2024

What is Exercise Dharma Guardian?

Exercise Dharma Guardian is an annual bilateral combat exercise conducted alternately in India and Japan since 2018 between the Indian Army and Japan Ground Self Defence Force to build interoperability for joint operations, with the 5th edition being held from February 25th to March 9th, 2024 at Mahajan Field Firing Ranges in Rajasthan, India.

The key objective is to promote defence cooperation and enhance interoperability between the two armies by exchanging skills and experiences in counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations.

The exercise involves joint training of platoon-level teams from both armies on tactical drills for neutralizing threats encountered in semi-urban and jungle terrain.

Why is this Exercise significant?

Exercise Dharma Guardian holds strategic significance for India and Japan due to the following factors:

  • Strengthens the bilateral security partnership between India and Japan in line with their vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific region
  • Provides operational experience to both armies for jointly undertaking overseas deployments under UN Peacekeeping missions
  • Helps counter common threats posed by global terrorism and violent extremism

By conducting complex combat drills together, the exercise enhances trust and interoperability between the Indian Army and JGSDF.

How is it conducted?

The 14-day exercise involves intensive joint military training of platoon-level teams from the Indian Army and JGSDF focusing on:

  • Physical fitness and endurance building
  • Specialized arms skills such as heliborne insertion and intelligence gathering
  • Joint planning and synchronization of tactical operations
  • Drills for cordon-and-search, vehicle checks, infrastructure protection

The training modules in Exercise Dharma Guardian align with realistic scenarios envisaged under Chapter VII of the UN Charter dealing with threats to peace and security.

When and where is Exercise taking place?

The 5th edition of Exercise Dharma Guardian is being conducted from 25th February to 9th March 2024 at the Mahajan Field Firing Range in Bikaner, Rajasthan.

Who participates in Exercise Dharma Guardian?

The 5th edition of Exercise Dharma Guardian involves participation of:

  • 40 soldiers from the 34th Infantry Regiment of Japan Ground Self Defence Force
  • 40 soldiers from a battalion of the Rajputana Rifles regiment of Indian Army

The Commanding General of JGSDF’s Eastern Army, Lt Gen Togashi Yuichi, will also visit India to observe the joint exercise on 3rd March.

How does Exercise Dharma Guardian fit into the larger India-Japan strategic partnership?

Exercise Dharma Guardian is an important component of the broader India-Japan strategic partnership encompassing:

  • Annual Defence Ministerial Dialogue
  • Defence Policy Dialogue
  • Service-to-service cooperation through joint exercises and defence equipment transfers
  • Trilateral naval exercises between India, Japan and the US (Malabar)

It reflects the two countries’ shared vision of a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific based on respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, peaceful resolution of disputes, and adherence to international rules and laws.

Final Thoughts

Dharma Guardian is an important bilateral combat exercise conducted annually between India and Japan to strengthen defence ties and interoperability between their armies.

The 5th edition being organized in Rajasthan focuses on joint planning and synchronization of counter-terrorism operations in semi-urban terrain under realistic UN mandates.

Beyond the tactical-level training, the exercise underscores the two countries’ shared interest in advancing a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific vision through deeper defence cooperation.

Thus, Exercise Dharma Guardian 2024 highlights the growing strategic convergence between India and Japan to promote peace, stability and rules-based order in the region.

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UCN Team: Combining expertise in UPSC Exams and Tech to deliver high-resolution, insightful content for aspiring civil servants

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