JAIMEX (Japan–India Maritime Exercise)

Why in News?
•    JAIMEX-25 (Japan–India Maritime Exercise 2025) was highlighted during the 16th India–Japan Annual Summit (2026) as an important milestone in the growing defence partnership between the two countries.
•    Both Prime Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to deepen maritime and defence cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.
What is JAIMEX?
•    JAIMEX (Japan–India Maritime Exercise) is the bilateral naval exercise between the Indian Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) aimed at strengthening interoperability and maritime cooperation. 
•    JAIMEX-25 was conducted from 16–18 October 2025, followed by the Harbour Phase at Yokosuka, Japan. 
•    India was represented by INS Sahyadri, an indigenously built Shivalik-class Guided Missile Stealth Frigate, while Japan deployed JMSDF Asahi, Oumi, and the submarine Jinryu. 
•    The exercise included advanced Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), missile defence drills, flying operations, underway replenishment, and maritime interoperability exercises, followed by professional interactions such as cross-deck visits, operational planning, exchange of best practices, and cultural activities including Yoga. 
Significance of JAIMEX
•    JAIMEX strengthens operational coordination and interoperability between the Indian Navy and the JMSDF. 
•    It reinforces maritime security and stability in the Indo-Pacific while supporting India's long-range naval deployments in the region. 
•    The exercise reflects the growing Special Strategic and Global Partnership between India and Japan and serves as an important pillar of bilateral defence cooperation. 
JAIMEX in the Context of the 16th India–Japan Annual Summit (2026)
•    During the 16th India–Japan Annual Summit, both Prime Ministers identified defence & security, economic partnership, and people-to-people exchanges as the three priority pillars for future cooperation. 
•    They welcomed the successful conduct of JAIMEX-25 and agreed to further deepen maritime cooperation through greater naval exercises, Maritime Domain Awareness using satellite capabilities, naval Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO), and defence equipment & technology cooperation under the Make in India framework. They also welcomed progress on the UNICORN (Unified Complex Radio Antenna) project and agreed to convene the 4th India–Japan 2+2 Ministerial Meeting in Tokyo. 
•    Beyond defence, both countries reaffirmed cooperation in economic security, energy resilience, technology and innovation, while expanding educational, cultural and business exchanges. 
•    The two leaders also reiterated their shared commitment to a Free, Open, Inclusive and Rules-based Indo-Pacific, noting that Japan's Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) vision closely aligns with India's Indo-Pacific Oceans' Initiative (IPOI) and MAHASAGAR (Mutual And Holistic Advancement for Security And Growth Across Regions).