The 7th edition of joint military exercise Dharma Guardian 2026 between India and Japan is all set to be conducted at Chaubattia, Uttarakhand from February 24 to March 9. The exercise is an annual event conducted alternatively in India and Japan.
In a post on X, the Additional Directorate General of Public Information, stated that the aim of the exercise is to enhance interoperability between the two forces while undertaking joint urban warfare and counter-terrorism operations.
“Over the two weeks, troops will refine joint planning, synchronise tactical drills and practise specialised combat skills. Key activities include establishing a temporary operating base, developing an ISR grid, mobile check posts, cordon and search operations, heliborne missions and house intervention drills.
Dharma Guardian 2026 reaffirms the growing India-Japan defence partnership and shared commitment to regional security, the post read.
The 6th edition of the exercise was held in East Fuji Manoeuvre Training area of Japan, in 2025. The Indian contingent comprised of 120 personnel represented mainly by troops from a battalion of the Madras Regiment along with troops from others arms and services.
The Japan Ground Self Defence Force (JGSDF) contingent, comprised similar strength and was represented by 34th Infantry Regiment. Prior to that the 5th edition of undertaken in Rajasthan in 2024.
In a statement issued earlier, the Ministry of Defence had stated that the aim of the exercise was to enhance interoperability between the two forces while undertaking joint urban warfare and counter-terrorism operations under the UN mandate.
Defence cooperation between India and Japan has steadily deepened over the past decade, marked by regular high-level engagements and institutionalised dialogues. Key mechanisms include the Defence Policy Dialogue, the 2 2 Ministerial Dialogue, first held at ministerial level in 2019, and the annual defence ministerial meeting.
The Tokyo Declaration for India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership and the Memorandum of Defence Cooperation and Exchanges have provided strategic direction to the partnership. Agreements on Defence Equipment and Technology Cooperation and Security of Classified Military Information, concluded in 2015, further strengthened ties.
The agreement concerning Reciprocal Provision of Supplies and Services, signed in September 2020, added fresh momentum and was operationalised during MILAN 2022, facilitating logistics support during exercises and visits by ships and aircraft.
Cooperation has expanded significantly in defence equipment, technology and service-to-service exchanges. The Joint Working Group on Defence Equipment and Technology Cooperation has held seven meetings so far, while industry-to-industry engagement has grown through business forums and interactions supported by the Embassy of India in Tokyo.
Following Japan’s strategic policy updates and amendments to its equipment transfer principles in 2022-23, new collaborative projects are being pursued. All three Services maintain regular staff talks with the Japan Self-Defence Forces, alongside a rising tempo of bilateral and multilateral exercises.
