What happened:
On January 29, the Indian Navy and Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) held the 11th edition of Staff Talks in New Delhi, co-chaired by Rear Admiral Srinivas Maddula and Rear Admiral Toshiyuki Hirata. The talks focused on enhancing maritime cooperation, interoperability, and promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific, aligning on the shared vision of MAHASAGAR and OCEAN.
Why it matters:
Both sides agreed to deepen ties through cooperation in operations, equipment, and personnel, contributing to regional peace and stability. The talks follow broader India-Japan strategic engagements, including Prime Minister Modi’s meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and the 18th India-Japan Strategic Dialogue on economic, maritime, and multilateral cooperation.