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The visit will focus on military dialogue, joint training efforts, and collaboration on defence technology
In a significant move to strengthen the defence and strategic partnership between India and Japan, General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) of India, arrived in Tokyo on a four-day official visit to Japan on Monday (October 14, 2024). The visit, spanning from October 14 to October 17, is aimed at enhancing military cooperation, fostering bilateral ties, and exploring new avenues for collaboration between the two nations.
General Dwivedi's visit to Japan comes at a time of growing regional security challenges and underscores the increasing importance of the India-Japan relationship. The visit will focus on military dialogue, joint training efforts, and collaboration on defence technology, reinforcing the longstanding partnership between the two countries.
“The visit by General Upendra Dwivedi aims at strengthening military cooperation between militaries of India and Japan besides exploring new avenues of collaboration between the two nations,” India’s Ministry of Defence said.
Day 1: Strengthening Diplomatic Ties
On the first day of his visit, General Upendra Dwivedi will meet with Indian Ambassador to Japan Sibi George at the Embassy of India in Tokyo. The two are expected to discuss the evolving dynamics of India-Japan relations, particularly in the context of regional security and defence cooperation. This meeting will set the tone for the COAS’s interactions with the Japanese leadership, providing a diplomatic overview of India’s objectives for the visit.
General Dwivedi’s visit highlights the importance of India’s growing role in the Indo-Pacific region, where Japan remains a key partner in counterbalancing emerging security threats. The discussions will explore the role of the two nations in maintaining peace and stability in the region, addressing shared concerns such as maritime security and regional defence strategies.
Day 2: High-Level Military Dialogues
On October 15, 2024, the Indian Army Chief will engage in high-level military dialogues at the Ministry of Defence in Ichigaya, Japan. The day’s agenda includes key meetings with Japan’s senior military leadership, including General Yoshida Yoshihide, Chief of Staff of the Joint Self-Defence Force (JSDF), and General Morishita Yasunori, Chief of Staff of the Japan Ground Self-Defence Force (JGSDF). General Dwivedi will also meet with Mr Ishikawa Takeshi, Commissioner of the Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics Agency (ATLA), responsible for Japan's defence technology and procurement.
The primary focus of these meetings will be to expand military collaboration between India and Japan, share strategic insights, and explore opportunities for joint training exercises and technology-sharing initiatives. Given the increasing importance of technological advancements in modern military operations, discussions on defence acquisition and logistics will be crucial in determining future cooperation between the two armed forces.
General Dwivedi will also pay homage at the Memorial at the Ministry of Defence, Ichigaya, in a solemn ceremony, followed by receiving a ceremonial Guard of Honour from the Japan Ground Self-Defence Force.
The itinerary also includes an interaction with senior hierarchy of JGSDF and a visit to the National Institute of Defence Studies.
Day 3: Enhancing Training and Technology Partnerships
On October 16, 2024, General Dwivedi, accompanied by General Morishita Yasunori, will visit the Fuji School, Japan’s premier military training institution. During the visit, the COAS will meet with Lieutenant General Kodama Yasuyuki, Commanding General of Fuji School, to discuss the scope of joint training efforts, shared operational practices, and technology exchange between the two armies.
General Dwivedi will receive a briefing at the Fuji School and observe an equipment and facility display. This engagement will provide insights into Japan’s training infrastructure and technologies, which could further enhance India’s military training programmes through collaborative efforts.
Day 4: Honouring Peace and Legacy in Hiroshima
The final day of General Dwivedi’s visit, on October 17, 2024, will see him travelling to Hiroshima, where he will lay a wreath at the Hiroshima Peace Park in remembrance of the victims of the atomic bombing. This carries deep symbolism, reinforcing the values of peace and reconciliation, which are central to both India and Japan’s foreign policy. General Dwivedi will also pay floral tributes to the statue of Mahatma Gandhi at the Peace Park.
Strategic Importance of the Visit
The four-day visit by General Upendra Dwivedi is a testament to the deepening defence cooperation between India and Japan. As both nations continue to navigate the complex security dynamics of the Indo-Pacific, the visit is expected to solidify their military relationship and promote greater synergy in addressing shared security challenges.
In recent years, India and Japan have engaged in several joint military exercises and strategic dialogues, reflecting their growing partnership in ensuring peace and stability in the region. The COAS’s visit builds upon these efforts, providing an opportunity to further strengthen defence ties and explore new areas of cooperation, including joint training programs, technology exchange, and strategic planning.
General Dwivedi’s visit to Japan is a significant step in reaffirming India’s commitment to regional security and deepening its strategic partnership with Japan. With both nations playing pivotal roles in maintaining the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific, this visit will undoubtedly pave the way for more robust military cooperation in the future.
General Dwivedi's visit to Japan comes at a time of growing regional security challenges and underscores the increasing importance of the India-Japan relationship. The visit will focus on military dialogue, joint training efforts, and collaboration on defence technology, reinforcing the longstanding partnership between the two countries.
“The visit by General Upendra Dwivedi aims at strengthening military cooperation between militaries of India and Japan besides exploring new avenues of collaboration between the two nations,” India’s Ministry of Defence said.
Day 1: Strengthening Diplomatic Ties
On the first day of his visit, General Upendra Dwivedi will meet with Indian Ambassador to Japan Sibi George at the Embassy of India in Tokyo. The two are expected to discuss the evolving dynamics of India-Japan relations, particularly in the context of regional security and defence cooperation. This meeting will set the tone for the COAS’s interactions with the Japanese leadership, providing a diplomatic overview of India’s objectives for the visit.
General Dwivedi’s visit highlights the importance of India’s growing role in the Indo-Pacific region, where Japan remains a key partner in counterbalancing emerging security threats. The discussions will explore the role of the two nations in maintaining peace and stability in the region, addressing shared concerns such as maritime security and regional defence strategies.
Day 2: High-Level Military Dialogues
On October 15, 2024, the Indian Army Chief will engage in high-level military dialogues at the Ministry of Defence in Ichigaya, Japan. The day’s agenda includes key meetings with Japan’s senior military leadership, including General Yoshida Yoshihide, Chief of Staff of the Joint Self-Defence Force (JSDF), and General Morishita Yasunori, Chief of Staff of the Japan Ground Self-Defence Force (JGSDF). General Dwivedi will also meet with Mr Ishikawa Takeshi, Commissioner of the Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics Agency (ATLA), responsible for Japan's defence technology and procurement.
The primary focus of these meetings will be to expand military collaboration between India and Japan, share strategic insights, and explore opportunities for joint training exercises and technology-sharing initiatives. Given the increasing importance of technological advancements in modern military operations, discussions on defence acquisition and logistics will be crucial in determining future cooperation between the two armed forces.
General Dwivedi will also pay homage at the Memorial at the Ministry of Defence, Ichigaya, in a solemn ceremony, followed by receiving a ceremonial Guard of Honour from the Japan Ground Self-Defence Force.
The itinerary also includes an interaction with senior hierarchy of JGSDF and a visit to the National Institute of Defence Studies.
Day 3: Enhancing Training and Technology Partnerships
On October 16, 2024, General Dwivedi, accompanied by General Morishita Yasunori, will visit the Fuji School, Japan’s premier military training institution. During the visit, the COAS will meet with Lieutenant General Kodama Yasuyuki, Commanding General of Fuji School, to discuss the scope of joint training efforts, shared operational practices, and technology exchange between the two armies.
General Dwivedi will receive a briefing at the Fuji School and observe an equipment and facility display. This engagement will provide insights into Japan’s training infrastructure and technologies, which could further enhance India’s military training programmes through collaborative efforts.
Day 4: Honouring Peace and Legacy in Hiroshima
The final day of General Dwivedi’s visit, on October 17, 2024, will see him travelling to Hiroshima, where he will lay a wreath at the Hiroshima Peace Park in remembrance of the victims of the atomic bombing. This carries deep symbolism, reinforcing the values of peace and reconciliation, which are central to both India and Japan’s foreign policy. General Dwivedi will also pay floral tributes to the statue of Mahatma Gandhi at the Peace Park.
Strategic Importance of the Visit
The four-day visit by General Upendra Dwivedi is a testament to the deepening defence cooperation between India and Japan. As both nations continue to navigate the complex security dynamics of the Indo-Pacific, the visit is expected to solidify their military relationship and promote greater synergy in addressing shared security challenges.
In recent years, India and Japan have engaged in several joint military exercises and strategic dialogues, reflecting their growing partnership in ensuring peace and stability in the region. The COAS’s visit builds upon these efforts, providing an opportunity to further strengthen defence ties and explore new areas of cooperation, including joint training programs, technology exchange, and strategic planning.
General Dwivedi’s visit to Japan is a significant step in reaffirming India’s commitment to regional security and deepening its strategic partnership with Japan. With both nations playing pivotal roles in maintaining the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific, this visit will undoubtedly pave the way for more robust military cooperation in the future.
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