Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi has embarked on a four-day official visit to Japan today. During the visit, the Chief of the Naval Staff is scheduled to hold bilateral discussions with senior Japanese government officials, including Minister of Defense General Nakatani and Vice-Minister of Defense Masuda Kazuo, among others. This visit is part of the ongoing efforts to consolidate bilateral defence relations between India and Japan, in line with the deepening ‘Special Strategic and Global Partnership’, with a focus on enhancing maritime cooperation. Discussions are expected to encompass a broad spectrum of defence cooperation areas, with particular emphasis on maritime security, technological collaboration, and identifying new avenues to strengthen naval synergy and interoperability. Admiral Tripathi will also visit Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) units and interact with the Commander-in-Chief, Self Defense Fleet.