India and Japan on Wednesday (January 14, 2026) agreed on strengthening their cooperation in maritime search and rescue, law enforcement, and maintaining peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region at the meeting of their Coast Guard officials in New Delhi.
In their discussions at the 22nd high-level meeting between the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and the Japan Coast Guard (JCG), the two sides reaffirmed the strong and enduring maritime partnership between both nations.
What did the two Coast Guards discuss?
Co-chaired by Indian Coast Guard Director General Paramesh Sivamani and Japan Coast Guard Command Admiral Yoshio Saguchi, the meeting focused on enhancing collaboration between the two sides on key pillars of maritime security such as marine pollution control and response and capacity building for humanitarian aid and disaster relief in the Indo-Pacific.
Admiral Saguchi was in India with a nine-member delegation on an official visit from January 13. He visit would conclude on January 17, according to an official statement from the Indian Coast Guard on January 14.
Emphasising the importance of sharing best practices, the two Coast Guard teams agreed on enhancing interoperability and sustaining structured engagements under the existing memorandum of cooperation between the two Coast Guards.
What were the outcomes of the Coast Guards meeting?
substanceA Japan Coast Guard National Strike Team (NST) is visiting Mumbai and will conduct a joint exercise with the ICG pollution response team, focusing on hazardous and noxious substances spill response, the Ministry of Defence said. “The exercise is aimed at enhancing preparedness, operational coordination, and mutual understanding in responding to complex marine pollution incidents,” it said.
The meeting provided an opportunity for both sides to review the existing framework of bilateral cooperation for further strengthening operational engagement, covering cooperation in emerging and future-oriented areas, including the use of technology, information-sharing mechanisms, training initiatives, and personnel exchanges.
The Japanese delegation is in Mumbai on January 16 and 17, where they would do an industrial visit to Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders and participate in professional interactions aimed at strengthening maritime industrial and operational linkages.
What would the two sides do in the future?
The two nations’ Coast Guard delegations expressed satisfaction over the steady progress achieved since the previous high-level meeting and reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining regular engagements at multiple levels, the statement said.
India’s current Presidency of the Coast Guard Global Summit (CGGS) and its upcoming hosting of the 5th CGGS, along with the International Coast Guard Fleet Review (ICGFR), also featured prominently in the discussions, it said.
In this context, both sides explored avenues for enhanced engagement and cooperation in multilateral maritime forums, the officials said.