India and Japan Deepen Naval Cooperation as INS Sahyadri Arrives at Sasebo

The Indian Navy’s stealth frigate INS Sahyadri has made a port call at Japan’s Sasebo base, marking a key phase in the bilateral maritime cooperation between Japan and India. The arrival comes as part of the ongoing Japan‑India Maritime Exercise (JAIMEX) 2025, which includes sea and harbour phases involving complex drills.

During the harbour visit, Indian and Japanese naval crews engaged in cross-deck visits, professional exchanges and joint operational planning. According to India’s Ministry of Defence, the exercise included advanced anti-submarine warfare, missile-defence scenarios and replenishment at sea, reinforcing interoperability between the two navies.

Commander Captain Rajat Kumar, commanding INS Sahyadri, emphasised the strategic importance of the deployment, while the Japan Maritime Self‑Defense Force (JMSDF) hailed the call as a demonstration of shared commitment to a «free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific.»

The exercise and port call are seen as part of the broader India-Japan «Special Strategic and Global Partnership» launched in 2014. Both countries emphasise their shared interest in a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region.

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