The 7th edition of the annual Joint Military Exercise ‘DHARMA GUARDIAN’ between the Indian Army and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) commenced at the Foreign Training Node, Chaubattia, Uttarakhand. The exercise is aimed at strengthening military collaboration and enhancing combined capabilities for conducting joint operations in a semi-urban environment.
About Exercise ‘Dharma Guardian’
- Type: Annual bilateral military exercise
- Edition: 7th
- Location (2026): Chaubattia, Uttarakhand
- Nature: Counter-terrorism and semi-urban warfare training
- Hosted alternately in India and Japan
The exercise has emerged as a key pillar of India–Japan defence cooperation.
Participating Contingents
- 120-member contingent from each side
- JGSDF represented by troops from the 32nd Infantry Regiment
- Indian Army contingent drawn from the Ladakh Scouts
The Ladakh Scouts are known for their high-altitude warfare expertise.
Focus Areas of Exercise
Participating troops will concentrate on:
- Achieving high levels of physical fitness
- Refining joint operational planning processes
- Synchronising tactical drills
- Enhancing interoperability
- Incorporating modern technologies in operations
- Strengthening contemporary operational capabilities
The exercise emphasises coordination in realistic battlefield scenarios.
Key Tactical Activities
The exercise includes the following tactical components:
- Establishment of a Temporary Operating Base (TOB)
- Development of an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) grid
- Setting up Mobile Vehicle Check Posts
- Conducting Cordon and Search Operations in hostile environments
- Executing Heliborne Operations
- Undertaking House Intervention Drills
These activities simulate counter-terror and semi-urban combat situations.
Strategic Significance
- Enhances India–Japan military interoperability.
- Strengthens Indo-Pacific security cooperation.
- Improves joint response capability to emerging security threats.
- Reinforces trust and coordination between armed forces.
- Supports the broader India–Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership.
India–Japan Defence Cooperation Framework
India and Japan have steadily deepened defence ties through:
- Regular bilateral and multilateral exercises.
- Defence technology cooperation.
- Strategic dialogues under the Indo-Pacific framework.
Other India–Japan Military Exercises
- JIMEX – Japan-India Maritime Exercise (Naval)
- Veer Guardian – Air exercise
- Shinyuu Maitri – Air force cooperation
- Sahyog Kaijin – Coast Guard exercise
- Malabar Exercise – Multilateral naval exercise involving India, Japan, Australia, and the United States