Objective and Scope:

Exercise Dharma Guardian 2025 will focus on joint urban warfare and counter-terrorism operations under a United Nations (UN) mandate. The exercise will involve complex tactical drills, combat training, and joint operational planning to prepare both forces for modern-day security challenges. The training will cover various operational scenarios, including room intervention techniques, hostage rescue operations, intelligence-based search and destroy missions, and close-quarter battle techniques.

Strategic Significance:

This edition of the exercise builds upon the successful visit of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) of India to Japan from 14 to 17 October 2024, which reinforced military ties between the two nations. As both countries face evolving security dynamics in the Indo-Pacific region, Dharma Guardian 2025 serves as a crucial platform to exchange best practices, improve tactical coordination, and strengthen bilateral defence cooperation.

India and Japan share a strong strategic partnership, with defence engagements playing a key role in their security collaboration. Exercise Dharma Guardian is one of the most important military engagements between the two nations, complementing other initiatives such as Malabar naval exercises, QUAD defence collaborations, and high-level military exchanges.

The exercise will not only enhance combat readiness and operational synergy between the two armies but also reinforce the broader objective of ensuring peace, stability, and security in the Indo-Pacific region.