NAGASAKI, Japan – The Indian Navy frigate Sahyadri made a port call Tuesday at the Maritime Self-Defense Force’s Sasebo base in southwestern Japan as part of defense cooperation between the two countries amid China’s increasing military presence in the Indo-Pacific region.
The frigate is scheduled to leave the port in Nagasaki Prefecture on Friday after a rest period for its crew and provision of fresh supplies.
“The improvement of interoperability between the MSDF and the Indian Navy is essential to realize a free and open Indo-Pacific,” said Capt. Shingo Asari, who welcomed the Indian ship and its crew.
Capt. Rajat Kumar, commanding officer of the frigate, responded that he highly values the partnership between the Indian Navy and the MSDF.
The Indian vessel earlier made a port call at the MSDF’s Yokosuka base near Tokyo after taking part in a joint exercise with MSDF ships and submarines in waters off Kyushu earlier this month.
AloJapan.com