JDS Takanami and JDS Ohnami, the two destroyers of Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF), called at Kochi for a brief stopover on their way for anti piracy deployment in the Gulf of Aden. Captain Takaki Mizuma Commander Escort Division Six is the Senior Officer embarked.
INS Nireekshak welcomed the visiting ships at the entrance to Kochi harbour. The Southern Naval Command Officials along with Band attended the reception arranged for the ships at their berth in Kochi harbour.
Colonel Nobutaka Mikasa , the Defence Attaché of Japan to India and the consulate officials from Chennai also arrived to welcome the ship. The Commander, Escort Division Six and other senior members of the delegation called on Rear Admiral Sudarshan Shrikhande , Chief of Staff, Southern Naval Command. Mutual visits between the two Navies and professional exchanges on topics of mutual interest were conducted during their stay.
Nine members of Japanese delegation led by Mr. Sukihama from Consulate General of Japan in India at Chennai along with eight Japan delegates visited Coast Guard Headquarters at Kochi and had interaction with deputy inspector general TKS Chandran, TM District Commander, DHQ-4.
Officer of the Coast Guard component onboard these ships also visited CGDHQ-4 and interacted with the officers of Indian Coast Guard. Japanese and Indian Coast Guard have been interacting regularly on earlier occasions and ships from both the countries have visited Japanese and Indian ports and participated in various joint exercises. JMSDF has also been contributing to the international anti piracy efforts in the Gulf of Aden.
During their visit, a presentation on Coast Guard operations in Arabian Sea and search and rescue/marine oil pollution response operations under taken by Coast Guard was organised.
Interaction of officers of Japanese Coast Guard and officers of Indian Coast Guard was organised at CGDHQ-4 and mementoes were exchanged.
[mappress] Source: Indiannavy, October 31, 2011