India and Japan begin 7th edition of DHARMA GUARDIAN.
Mountains Echo with Allied Footsteps.
India-Japan Dharma Guardian Military Exercise: In the serene hills of Chaubattia, Uttarakhand, soldiers from the Indian Army and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force assembled for the 7th edition of Exercise DHARMA GUARDIAN. The annual bilateral exercise alternates between India and Japan and stands as a pillar of growing defense cooperation between the two Indo-Pacific partners.
Elite Units, Shared Commitment: Ladakh Scouts and 32nd Infantry Regiment train side by side
The Indian contingent, drawn from the Ladakh Scouts, is joined by Japan’s 32nd Infantry Regiment. Each side fields 120 personnel focused on enhancing capabilities for joint operations in semi-urban terrain.
Over two weeks, troops will emphasize physical conditioning, joint planning, and synchronized tactical drills — sharpening both endurance and interoperability.
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ISR grids, heliborne missions and urban operations define training
Training scenarios include establishing temporary operating bases, setting up Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance grids, and conducting cordon-and-search operations in hostile environments.
Heliborne insertions and house intervention drills simulate high-intensity contingencies. The exercise is deeply anchored in modern technology integration, ensuring both forces remain aligned with contemporary operational doctrines.
Strategic Significance: A reflection of deeper Indo-Pacific alignment
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DHARMA GUARDIAN symbolizes more than tactical exchange. It reinforces strategic trust between two democratic maritime powers navigating shared security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.
The mountains of Uttarakhand thus become more than a training ground — they become a testament to evolving regional partnerships.
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