Japan Coast Guard Ship arrives in Chennai, boosts maritime ties

NEW DELHI, July 7 (KUNA) -- Japan Coast Guard Ship "Itsukushima" arrived in South India's Chennai Port on Monday, as part of strengthening India-Japan maritime ties.
The Indian Ministry of Defense said in a statement that Japan Coast Guard Ship Itsukushima arrived in Chennai for Global Ocean Voyage Training, strengthening the strategic Indo-Pacific partnership between the Indian and Japanese Coast Guards.
"The week-long port call includes high-level bilateral meetings, joint professional and cultural exchanges, and a sea exercise aimed at boosting interoperability between the two forces," the statement said.
During the visit, crewmembers will engage in courtesy calls, reciprocal ship visits, joint training sessions, yoga, and sporting events, culminating in a joint sea exercise on July 12.
The port call comes as part of Memorandum of Cooperation between India and Japan signed in 2006 and in tune with India's Security and Growth for All in the Region vision and the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative. (end) atk.ahm