New chapter of India-Japan military partnership, 7th edition of ‘Dharma Guardian 2026’ begins from February 24 in Chaubattia, Uttarakhand.

New Delhi: The seventh edition of the joint military exercise ‘Dharma Guardian 2026’ between India and Japan will be held in Chaubattia, Uttarakhand from February 24 to March 9. This exercise is done every year alternately in India and Japan. Additional Directorate General of Public Information informed on the occasion that the objective of this exercise is to enhance interoperability between the two armies during joint urban warfare and counter-terrorism operations.

During the two weeks, Soldiers will refine joint planning, coordinate tactical exercises and practice specialized warfare skills, according to the post. Major activities include establishment of temporary operating bases, developing ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) grid, mobile check posts, cordon and search operations, heliborne missions and house intervention drills.

Dharma Guardian 2026 further strengthens India-Japan defense partnership and shared commitment to regional security. The sixth edition of the exercise was held at the East Fuji Maneuver Training Area in Japan in 2025. The Indian contingent consisted of 120 personnel, mainly represented by a battalion of the Madras Regiment and personnel from other arms and services. The Japanese contingent was equal in number and was represented by the 34th Infantry Regiment of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force.

Earlier, the fifth edition was to be held in Rajasthan in 2024. The Defense Ministry had earlier said in a statement that the main objective of this exercise is to enhance the interoperability of both the armies in urban warfare and counter-terrorism operations under the mandate of the United Nations. India-Japan defense cooperation has steadily strengthened over the past decade, bolstered by institutional mechanisms such as high-level dialogue, defense policy dialogue, 2 2 ministerial dialogue and the annual Defense Ministerial Meeting.

The Tokyo Declaration and the Memorandum of Understanding on Defense Cooperation and Exchanges have provided strategic direction to this partnership. The cooperation was given a new impetus by the Agreement on Reciprocal Supplies and Provision of Services signed in September 2020, which was implemented during Milan-2022 and facilitated logistics cooperation during exercises and visits of ships and aircraft. There has also been significant expansion in defense equipment, technology and service-service cooperation. The Joint Working Group has held seven meetings so far, while industry-to-industry contacts are also increasing.