The Japan Coast Guard (JCG) ship Itsukushima, under Captain Naoki Mizoguchi, docked at Chennai Port on July 7 as part of its Global Ocean Voyage Training. This visit underscores the strengthening strategic partnership between the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and JCG in the Indo-Pacific region. The week-long stay featured high-level bilateral meetings, cultural exchanges, and a sea exercise aimed at enhancing interoperability between the two maritime forces.
During the port call, crew members participated in courtesy visits, reciprocal ship tours, joint training sessions, yoga, and sporting events, culminating in a joint sea exercise named ‘Jaa Mata’ on July 12.
In a demonstration of deepening cooperation, four ICG officers joined the Itsukushima as sea riders on its journey to Singapore, continuing a tradition of professional exchanges. This engagement builds on the 2006 Memorandum of Cooperation between India and Japan and aligns with India’s SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision and the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI).
