Chennai: The Coast Guards of India and Japan commenced their annual joint exercise ’Sahyog- Kaijin’ to be conducted off Chennai from Thursday.
“In accordance with Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) signed between the Indian Coast Guard and Japan Coast Guard in 2006, both the Coast Guards have been conducting regular interactions including High Level Visits, Annual Joint Exercises code named “Sahyog-Kaijin,” training exchanges and participation in short term training workshops and seminars,” the defence ministry said in a statement.
In continuance of the existing cooperation, the Japan Coast Guard Ship ‘Echigo’ arrived Chennai on January 13 on a five –day goodwill visit.
During the visit, the ship will be participating in the exercise.
This is the 19th such exercise being conducted between the two Coast Guards since its institution in the year 2000.
This Joint Exercise is being witnessed by Japanese Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Takahiro Okushima and Indian Coast Guard Director General Director General Krishnaswamy Natarajan.
In addition to JCG ship Echigo, a total of four ICG ships, their aircraft and a vessel from National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) are also participating in this exercise.
The exercise is aimed at further strengthening ties and mutual understanding between the two Coast Guards, enhancing interoperability in communication as well as Search and Rescue procedures and sharing of best practices.
Such exercise are also mutually beneficial and strengthen the existing bilateral relationship, which enable both the Coast Guards to work together to protect shared interests if such need arises, whether it is responding to threats of piracy or humanitarian disasters.
During the stay of JCG ship Echigo in harbour, various activities are planned including official calls reciprocal visit onboard ships, sporting, cultural interactions and professional interactions between personnel of both the Coast Guards.
