CDS General Chauhan lays wreath at Hiroshima Peace Park during Japan visit

Defence authorities claimed that during his visit to Japan, General Anil Chauhan, the Chief of Defence Staff of India, lay a wreath at the Hiroshima Peace Park in honour of the Hiroshima victims. In an effort to promote calm and tranquilly in the area, he also placed floral tributes at the Gandhi Statue. In addition, the Hiroshima Museum provided a thorough brief to the CDS. According to the officials, the Indian CDS is visiting Japan on a bilateral basis with the aim of enhancing military relations between the two countries. The two nations’ defence ties were strengthened when CDS General Chauhan visited Japan’s Yokosuka Base earlier on Tuesday. Vice Admiral Saito Akira, Commander-in-Chief of the Self-Defence Fleet, briefed him on the mission of the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force. The goal of the visit was to emphasise the rising significance of the defence collaboration between Japan and India while reiterating strategic cooperation. According to a press release from the Ministry of Defence (MoD), Chauhan left New Delhi for Japan on Sunday, December 10, to talk about defence cooperation between the two Asian nations. The visit highlights the growing significance of India-Japan defence cooperation and aims to strengthen defence ties between the two countries. General Chauhan is expected to visit defence formations and institutions and meet with Japan’s senior military leadership during his visit. A visit with Japan’s Minister of Defence, Minoru Kihara, a meeting with General Yoshida Yoshihide, Chief of Staff of the Joint Staff of the Japan Self-Defence Forces, as well as meetings with Fukasawa Masaki, Commissioner of Acquisition Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA), and Japan Major General Adachi Yoshiki, Vice President of the National Institute of Defence Studies (NIDS) are among the tour’s major highlights. The CDS will also visit military facilities and engage with the NIDS staff and research scholars during his visit to Japan. According to the ministry, the gatherings and conversations will promote understanding between the parties, provide a forum for discussing regional security issues, build bilateral defence cooperation, and collaborate on defense-related technologies and equipment. Additionally, the Commander in Chief Self-Defence Fleet at Funakoshi JMSDF Base will be interacting with the CDS during visits to JMSDF units across Japan. “India and Japan celebrate 71 years of diplomatic ties in 2023. This visit underscores the commitment of both nations to strengthen the special strategic and global partnership. Demonstrating the enduring camaraderie that has flourished between India and Japan over the past 70 years, the visit will further boost bilateral cooperation on a host of strategic issues, particularly in defence collaboration,” the press statement read. (With agency inputs)