ICG and JCG Conduct Joint Maritime Drill ‘Jaa Mata’ off Chennai Coast to Boost Bilateral Naval Ties.

In July 2025, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and Japan Coast Guard (JCG) jointly conducted the maritime exercise ‘Jaa Mata’ near the Chennai coast in Tamil Nadu, aiming to enhance naval coordination, interoperability, and maritime domain cooperation.

      - The exercise titled ‘Jaa Mata’—a colloquial farewell phrase meaning “see you later”—was held as part of efforts to deepen mutual operational understanding and maritime synergy between India and Japan. The drill showcased a blend of practical maritime operations, strategic visits, and cultural exchanges between the two navies.

      - The drill incorporated coordinated shipboard activities such as firefighting exercises, anti-piracy simulations, boarding operations, and station-keeping. These activities were planned and supervised by the Headquarters, Coast Guard Region (East), under the leadership of Inspector General Dattwinder Singh Saini, Commander of the Eastern Region.

      - The joint exercise followed a six-day voyage by the Japan Coast Guard’s training ship JCG Vessel Tsukushima, which docked in Chennai between July 7 and July 12, 2025. This visit was a segment of Japan's Global Ocean Voyage Training initiative. Vice Admiral Kanouse Hiroaki, Vice Commandant (Operations) of the JCG, headed the Japanese delegation during the engagement.

Main Point :-   (i) During the port call, Indian and Japanese coast guard officials held a series of high-level interactions that included bilateral meetings, cultural exchanges, and joint briefings focused on standard operating procedures and mission coordination. These discussions were geared toward strengthening ties and enhancing disaster response frameworks and maritime law enforcement practices.

      (ii) The visiting delegation also met with senior Indian Coast Guard leadership, including Director General Paramesh Sivamani, who emphasized India’s commitment to a rules-based maritime order. Talks centered on strategic frameworks, interoperability drills, and the use of international maritime law to support regional peace and security.

(iii) The event marked yet another milestone under the 2006 India–Japan Maritime Cooperation Agreement, aligned with India’s SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision and the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI). With Singapore as the next stop for JCG’s training ship, the exercise signaled a continued momentum in Indo-Pacific naval collaboration.
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