♦ The 6th edition of the India-Japan joint military exercise, Dharma Guardian, commenced at the East Fuji Training Area in Japan.

♦ Scheduled to continue until March 9, the exercise underscores the deepening defence ties between the two nations.

♦ Aimed at bolstering interoperability between the Indian Army and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF), Dharma Guardian focuses on joint urban warfare and counter-terrorism operations under a UN mandate. 

♦ The Ministry of Defence emphasized that the exercise would include extensive physical conditioning, joint tactical drills, and coordinated planning to enhance operational synergy.