“The Chief of Naval Staff's visit to Japan represents a high level of bilateral defence engagements with Japan, as well as India's active support and involvement in multilateral engagements”

Photo Credit : Navy,

Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar arrived in Japan on Saturday for a five-day visit to attend the International Fleet Review (IFR), the Malabar exercise's launch ceremony and will hold talks to strengthen bilateral maritime cooperation.

The Indian Navy's two frontline warships, Shivalik and Kamorta, have already arrived in Yokosuka for Sunday's IFR at Sagami Bay.

The IFR is being held to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).

It is attended by the fleets of Australia, Brunei, Canada, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, Thailand, the United Kingdom, the United States of America and India.

According to officials, the IFR will be seen by Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and will involve 40 ships and submarines from the participating countries.

The Indian Navy announced Admiral Kumar's travel to Japan from 5 to 9 November and his attendance at the 18th Western Pacific Naval Symposium (WPNS) on 7 and 8 November in Yokohama.

“Aside from IFR and WPNS, he will also be there for the launch of the 2022 edition of the Malabar exercise,” an Indian Navy spokesperson said.

“Admiral R Hari Kumar will also meet with his counterparts and other Heads of Delegation from around 30 countries participating in the IFR, WPNS and Malabar,” the official said.

The Malabar drill, which involves the navy of India, Japan, the United States and Australia comes amid growing global concern about China's developing military power in the South and East China Seas.

According to officials, the exercise will feature “high-tempo” drills in numerous domains, as well as complicated surface, subsurface and air operations, including live firing drills.

According to officials, Admiral Kumar will also meet with his Japanese counterpart to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral naval cooperation.

“The Chief of Naval Staff's visit to Japan represents a high level of bilateral defence engagements with Japan, as well as India's active support and involvement in multilateral engagements,” a Navy spokesperson added.