The 7th Edition of Dharma Guardian 2026: Joint Military Exercise between India and Japan

India and Japan are all set to conduct the seventh edition of the Joint Military Exercise Dharma Guardian from 24 February to 9 March, 2026. This represents a significant milestone in the evolving defense architecture between the two nations. Scheduled to take place at Chaubattia, Uttarakhand, this edition of the exercise continues the trajectory established in the year 2018. The exercise, conducted alternatively in India and Japan, is designed to enable a high degree of interoperability between the Indian Army and the Japanese Ground Self-Defence Force (JGSDF). It specifically targets the complexities of modern urban warfare and counter-terrorism operations. By conducting Joint planning sessions, tactical drills and specialised manoeuvres in the challenging terrain of the Himalayan foothills, both forces will be able to test their operational limits and refine joint planning procedures within a realistic combat environment.

The operational focus of the 2026 exercise is on the technical and tactical requirements. Both participants will engage in the development of an integrated Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) grid. This is essential for maintaining situational awareness in dense urban centres. Training modules also include the establishment of Temporary Operating Bases, the management of mobile check posts, and the execution of high-stakes cordon and search operations. It will also include heliborne missions and house intervention drills. All these key activities underscore a shared commitment to mastering the precision required for counterinsurgency. These activities allow for the synchronization of tactical drills and the exchange of operational experiences gained from diverse global security contexts.

Strategically, Dharma Guardian 2026 serves as a physical manifestation of the Special Strategic and Global Partnership between New Delhi and Tokyo. The 6th edition of this exercise was held at the East Fuji Training Area in Japan from February 24 to March 9, 2025, marking a significant milestone as it was conducted on an enhanced scale with participation of troops at the company-strength level. So, the transition from the 6th edition to the current 7th edition in India highlights the reciprocal nature of this military engagement. While the primary objective remains the enhancement of tactical combat skills, the exercise clearly reinforces a broader commitment to regional security in the Indo-Pacific. This military cooperation is increasingly bolstered by diplomatic and technological initiatives, such as the recently launched AI dialogue and the Joint Working Group on critical minerals established during the 18th Strategic Dialogue in January 2026.

The institutionalization of Exercise Dharma Guardian reflects the growing trust and professional alignment between the two armies. company-strength participation and sophisticated joint planning move the defence cooperation between India and Japan toward effectively building a deterrent against global terrorism and regional instability. The exercise provides a platform for the Indian Army and the JGSDF to share best practices and develop the interpersonal trust necessary for rapid coordination. Ultimately, this annual engagement ensures that both nations remain prepared to address non-traditional security threats while promoting a stable, rules-based order across the Asian continent.

Beyond the ground exercises, India-Japan defense cooperation has undergone a profound structural transformation in recent years. It has been underpinned by several high-level bilateral agreements. An important development was the signing of the Agreement concerning Reciprocal Provision of Supplies and Services (ACSA), in 2020, which created a formal framework for logistics sharing and enhanced the operational reach of both militaries during joint drills and humanitarian missions. This momentum was further solidified in late 2024 with the signing of the Memorandum of Implementation for the UNICORN (Unified Complex Radio Antenna) mast. A landmark agreement, it marks the first case of co-development and co-production of defense equipment between the two nations, involving the collaboration of Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) with Japanese partners. The UNICORN mast is a state-of-the-art integrated antenna system designed to enhance the stealth characteristics and communication efficiency of Indian Naval warships by consolidating multiple sensors into a single, radar-transparent dome.

These technological strides are mirrored at the diplomatic level through the institutionalization of the 2+2 Ministerial Dialogues (inaugurated in 2019) and the outcomes of the 15th India-Japan Annual Summit (held in August 2025). During that summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart adopted a new Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation, elevating the partnership to focus on technology transfers and a "Joint Vision for the Next Decade." This vision prioritizes collaboration in defense equipment and emerging domains like artificial intelligence and critical minerals, as reiterated during the 18th Strategic Dialogue in January 2026. All these key agreements and joint exercises indicate that the security relationship is no longer restricted to traditional drills but has expanded into high-tech defense research and development, essential to maintaining a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific.

About the Author

Kaveri Jain is a doctoral researcher in International Relations at the Amity Institute of International Studies, Amity University, Noida. Her work focuses on India-Japan relations during the Shinzo Abe era. She has presented at academic conferences, published in peer-reviewed platforms and written on various aspects of India-Japan ties, including foreign policy, technology cooperation, cultural exchange, diaspora diplomacy and engagement in the Indo-Pacific region.