Echigo in Chennai, strengthens Japan-India ties

S Vishnu Sharmaa, INN/Chennai, @Svs037

Japanese Coast Guard Ship Echigo arrived in Chennai on 13 January. The ship will be taking part in exercises on the seas near Chennai on 16 January along with ships of Indian Coast Guard.

JCG ship received a warm welcome on its arrival at Chennai harbour on 13 January. The forces of the two countries will be conducting exercises in accordance with Memorandum-of-Cooperation (MoC) signed between Coast Guards of India and Japan in 2006.

This is the 19th such exercise being held by Coast Guards of two nations. The joint exercises ‘Sahyog-Kaijin’ will be witnessed by Admiral Takahiro Okushima, Commandant, Japan Coast Guard and Director General Krishnaswamy Natarajan, Director General Indian Coast Guard.

Four ships and couple of aircrafts of Indian Coast Guard will participate in the exercise along with the Japanese Coast Guard Ship. A vessel from National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) is also participating in this exercise.

The exercise is aimed  enhancing interoperability in communication as well as search and rescue procedures and sharing of best practices.

Such exercise are also mutually beneficial and strengthen the existing bilateral relationship, which enable both the Coast Guards to work together to protect shared interests if such need arises, whether it is responding to threats of piracy or humanitarian disasters.

During the stay of JCG ship Echigo in harbour, various activities are planned including official calls reciprocal visit onboard ships, sporting, cultural interactions and professional interactions between personnel of both the Coast Guards.

Japanese Coast Guard ship is under the leadership of Captain Kiyoshi Harada who is assisted by a team of professional and highly motivated men of the Japan Coast Guard.