Article Posted on : - Oct 13, 2017

INS Satpura at Sasebo, Japan. An Indian Navy photo/Twitter

NEW DELHI (PTI): Indian Naval Ships Satpura and Kadmatt will participate in Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with Japanese Marine Self Defence Force, Indian Navy said in a statement on Thursday.

INS Satpura and Kadmatt are visiting Sasebo, Japan, from October 12 to 15. After completion of the harbour phase, the ships will take part in Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with Japan's Murusame Class destroyer, JS Kirisame.

"The visit of these ships is part the Indian Government's initiatives to strengthen the long-standing, mutually supportive and strong relationship between Japan and India," the Indian Navy statement said.

Since the first 'Navy to Navy Staff Talks' between the two nations in November 2008, naval ties have reached new heights with bilateral and multilateral exercises and enhanced cooperation in information sharing, meteorology and oceanography, disaster management and military training.

"The defence and security interaction between both countries has since expanded to encompass a Defence Policy Dialogue and a Maritime Affairs Dialogue," the statement added.