Jodhpur (Rajasthan) [India], September 20 (ANI): Underscoring the rising strategic convergence between India and Japan within the Indo-Pacific, Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh on Sunday highlighted the spirit of mutual assist defining bilateral air energy cooperation throughout the ongoing joint train ‘Veer Guardian-2026’ at Air Force Station Jodhpur.
Addressing a joint assertion alongside Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) Chief of Staff General Takehiro Morita, Air Chief Marshal Singh invoked an historical Sanskrit phrase to explain the evolving bond between the 2 air forces.
‘There is a Sanskrit expression which says ‘Apatsu Mitram’-a good friend in time of want. I believe the spirit mirrored within the relationship between the Indian Air Force and Koku-Jieitai [JASDF] is precisely the identical,’ Singh stated. “It is a partnership built on mutual respect, professional trust, and shared commitment to peace and stability.”
The ‘Veer Guardian-2026’ train marks a monumental milestone in bilateral navy engagements, marking the primary time Japanese fighter jets are working straight from Indian soil.
“This exercise-especially because the Japanese fighters are operating from Indian soil for the first time-is a great milestone in the history of our relationship, in our partnership,” the IAF Chief remarked.
Recalling the earlier iteration of the multinational train ‘Tarang Shakti-24’, Singh famous that dangerous climate over Southeast Asia had prevented Japanese plane from ferrying to India, although Ground assist groups had arrived. “I’m very happy that we have caught up this time. And, of course… this reflects a deepening dimension of our Special Strategic and Global Partnership between the two countries,” he added.
Singh stated India and Japan share a imaginative and prescient of a “free, open, and rule-based Indo-Pacific” and that stronger cooperation between their air forces contributes to the shared goal of each nations.
He additionally highlighted the evolution of cooperation between the 2 air forces, “from Shinyuu Maitri to Veer Guardian” and from subject-matter skilled exchanges to tactical-level workout routines in a posh setting.
“This exercise reflects a very high degree of trust and confidence that the two air forces have in each other. When we do exercises together, we learn from each other, we fly together, we train together, so both sides improve together,” Singh stated, including that joint workout routines present either side a chance to be taught from one another’s operations and enhance their capabilities.
“I’m sure this is going to add to our capabilities on both sides,” he added.
Singh additionally referred to the synergy between the 2 air forces as ‘Kizuna’, saying it was “a bond or an enduring connection, one that grows stronger through shared experiences, mutual respect, and collaborative operations.”
Earlier on Sunday, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh and JASDF Chief of Staff General Takehiro Morita took off from Air Force Station Jodhpur in Tejas plane throughout the ongoing ‘Veer Guardian-2026’ train.
The IAF is taking part within the train with frontline fight plane together with the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, Su-30MKI and Rafale, whereas the JASDF is taking part with its F-2A fighter plane. (ANI)