The Japan Coast Guard (JCG) ship Itsukushima, under the command of Captain Naoki Mizoguchi, arrived at Chennai Port on 07 July 2025, as part of its Global Ocean Voyage Training. This significant port call underscores the strengthening maritime cooperation between the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and the JCG, reaffirming their shared commitment to maintaining maritime stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
Earlier this year, both nations had participated in the Joint Military Exercise “Dharma Guardian”. Thus, the docking of the JCG ship Itsukushima only further underlines the importance both countries have placed on bolstering their defense ties.
JCG Ship Itsukushima Arrives in Chennai
The arrival of Itsukushima in India marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing defense engagement between the two maritime security forces. The visit, spanning from July 7 to July 12, 2025, is set to include high-level bilateral meetings, joint operational drills, and cultural exchanges—all designed to deepen professional interoperability and enhance mutual understanding between the two services.
JCG Itsukushima To Advance Strategic Maritime Partnership in the Indo-Pacific
The Indo-Pacific has emerged as a central theater for maritime collaboration and regional security architecture. The joint initiatives between India and Japan are aligned with New Delhi’s vision of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and Tokyo’s commitment to ensuring a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP). These converging strategies highlight the strategic alignment between both nations in countering transnational maritime threats, upholding the rules-based order, and ensuring safe passage in critical sea lanes.
The visit of Itsukushima not only reflects operational synergy but also reinforces the 2006 Memorandum of Cooperation between the Indian Coast Guard and the Japan Coast Guard. This long-standing framework has consistently served as a catalyst for multifaceted engagements, including joint training exercises, officer exchange programs, and coordinated responses to maritime incidents.
Joint Activities to Enhance Maritime Readiness
During the week-long stay in Chennai, the crew of Itsukushima and their Indian counterparts will participate in a series of bilateral activities. These include:
- Courtesy calls and reciprocal ship visits to promote mutual respect and professional camaraderie.
- Joint professional exchanges, focused on maritime surveillance, environmental protection, and search and rescue (SAR) operations.
- Sporting events and yoga sessions, fostering interpersonal bonds and cultural integration.
- A sea phase exercise titled ‘Jaa Mata’ (translated as “see you later”), scheduled for July 12, aimed at validating interoperability in tactical scenarios and strengthening communication protocols at sea.
The planned joint sea drill will involve surface maneuvering, communication exercises, and simulated interdiction operations, enhancing real-time operational coordination.
Professional Exchanges and Capacity Building
Continuing a time-honored tradition, four ICG officers will embark on Itsukushima as Sea Riders for the onward leg of its voyage to Singapore. This sea-rider program not only enables firsthand exposure to Japanese navigational protocols and operational frameworks but also fosters a deeper level of mutual trust and collaboration.
Such professional exchange programs are essential components of naval diplomacy and defense capacity building, equipping officers with multi-domain operational awareness and enhancing doctrinal convergence between maritime forces.
Japan’s broader Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI), which aligns with India’s regional goals, continues to serve as a platform for multilateral maritime cooperation.
India-Japan: Evolving Defense Relations
The port visit by JCG ship Itsukushima is emblematic of the robust and evolving defense relationship between India and Japan. As both nations navigate complex maritime challenges in the Indo-Pacific, bilateral engagements such as these play a vital role in fostering operational synergy, regional stability, and mutual strategic trust.
The India-Japan maritime partnership is not merely an expression of diplomatic goodwill—it is a pragmatic response to the dynamic security environment of the 21st century. Through continued professional cooperation, doctrinal alignment, and people-to-people interactions, both Coast Guards reaffirm their commitment to a secure, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific.
