The 7th edition of the annual India–Japan Joint Military Exercise DHARMA GUARDIAN commenced on 24 February 2026 at the Foreign Training Node, Chaubattia, Uttarakhand. The exercise will continue until 9 March 2026, marking another milestone in the growing defence partnership between the two nations.
Key Highlights
- Participants:
- Indian Army: Ladakh Scouts regiment.
- Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF): 32nd Infantry Regiment.
- Each side has contributed a 120-member contingent.
- Objectives:
- Enhance interoperability between the two forces.
- Strengthen military collaboration for joint operations in semi-urban and urban environments.
- Focus on counter-terrorism drills, urban warfare tactics, ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance) grid development, heliborne missions, and cordon-and-search operations.
- Significance:
- Conducted alternately in India and Japan, DHARMA GUARDIAN is a pillar of defence cooperation.
- Reinforces the special strategic and global partnership between India and Japan.
- Contributes to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
