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Daily Current Affairs Analysis – 26 February 2026 | India–Japan Exercise Dharma Guardian & Indo-Pacific Security (UPSC Notes)

 

India–Japan Military Exercise & Indo-Pacific Geopolitics – UPSC Prelims Notes (26 Feb 2026)

1. Exercise Dharma Guardian – Complete Details

Basic Information

  • Name: Exercise Dharma Guardian

  • Type: Joint Army Military Exercise

  • Countries: India & Japan

  • Forces Involved:

    • Indian Army

    • Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF)

  • Frequency: Annual exercise

  • Location Pattern: Conducted alternately in India & Japan

  • 2026 Edition: 7th edition held in Uttarakhand, India

  • Participation: Around 100+ soldiers from each country

Main Objectives

  • Improve interoperability between Indian Army & JGSDF.

  • Practice joint tactical drills in semi-urban and urban terrain.

  • Enhance cooperation in counter-terrorism operations.

  • Improve coordination for UN Peacekeeping Missions.

  • Exchange modern military techniques, doctrines, and technologies.

  • Build mutual trust & strategic partnership.

Training Focus Areas

  • Counter-insurgency operations

  • Room intervention drills

  • Hostage rescue

  • Intelligence sharing techniques

  • Tactical communication

  • Disaster response coordination

Why Important for UPSC

  • Military exercises frequently asked in Prelims.

  • Helps understand India’s Indo-Pacific strategy.

  • Shows India-Japan strategic partnership.

2. Other India–Japan Military Exercises

ExerciseTypeForces InvolvedPurpose
Dharma GuardianArmyIndian Army + JGSDFCounter-terrorism & interoperability
JIMEX (Japan-India Maritime Exercise)NavalIndian Navy + JMSDFMaritime security
Shinyuu MaitriAir ForceIAF + Japanese Air Self-Defense ForceAir combat coordination

Exam Tip: Match exercise with correct armed force.

3. Quad & Indo-Pacific Strategy

Quad Members

  • India

  • Japan

  • USA

  • Australia

Objective of Quad

  • Promote free, open, inclusive Indo-Pacific.

  • Ensure maritime security.

  • Protect global trade routes.

  • Counter China’s aggressive expansion.

  • Disaster relief cooperation.

  • Technology & supply chain resilience.

Why India–Japan Cooperation Matters

  • Both countries face strategic pressure from China.

  • Japan concerned about East China Sea disputes.

  • India concerned about border tensions & Indo-Pacific security.

  • Defence exercises strengthen deterrence.

4. Japan’s Defence Policy – From Pacifism to Expansion

  • After World War II, Japan adopted pacifist constitution (Article 9).

  • No offensive military → Only Self-Defense Forces allowed.

  • Limited defence spending historically.

Recent Changes

  • Increased defence budget.

  • Concern over China & North Korea missiles.

  • Strengthening alliances with USA & India.

  • Military modernization.

  • Debate on revising pacifist constitution.

Reason for Policy Change

  • China’s military expansion.

  • Taiwan Strait tensions.

  • North Korean missile tests.

  • Indo-Pacific power balance shift.

5. China–Japan & Regional Territorial Disputes

1. Senkaku Islands / Diaoyu Islands

  • Controlled by Japan.

  • Claimed by China & Taiwan.

  • Located in East China Sea.

  • Believed to have oil & gas reserves.

2. Yonaguni Island Issue

  • Westernmost Japanese island.

  • Near Taiwan (~110 km).

  • Japan installing missile systems.

  • China opposes due to Taiwan issue.

3. Dokdo / Takeshima Dispute

  • South Korea controls islands (Dokdo).

  • Japan claims them (Takeshima).

  • Located in Sea of Japan.

  • Called Liancourt Rocks internationally.

Exam Tip

  • Match islands with countries.

  • Important map-based questions.

6. Indo-Pacific Region – Why It Matters

  • Indo-Pacific includes Indian Ocean + Pacific Ocean region.

  • Major global trade routes pass here.

  • South China Sea important shipping lane.

  • China’s Belt & Road Initiative increases influence.

  • Quad countries aim to balance power.

7. Geography Link – Lipulekh Pass

  • Located in Uttarakhand.

  • Tri-junction area: India–Nepal–China.

  • Dispute over Kalapani region.

  • Nepal objected to Indian road project via Lipulekh.

Exam Tip: Important Himalayan passes often asked.

8. UN Peacekeeping & Military Exercises Concept

  • Bilateral exercises improve:

    • UN Peacekeeping efficiency.

    • Joint operations capability.

    • Rescue & humanitarian missions.

Relevant UN Charter Context

  • Chapter VI → Peaceful settlement.

  • Chapter VII → Collective security.

  • Peacekeeping evolved under these chapters.

9. Why China is Concerned

  • India & Japan both Quad members.

  • Military exercises increase cooperation.

  • Seen as containment strategy by China.

  • China opposes Indo-Pacific alliances.

10. Possible UPSC Prelims Questions

Q1. Dharma Guardian exercise is related to

a) Naval warfare
b) Air combat
c) Army training
d) Space cooperation

Answer: c) Army training

Q2. Which countries are members of Quad?

  1. India

  2. Japan

  3. Australia

  4. South Korea

Answer: 1, 2, 3 only

Q3. Senkaku Islands are disputed between

a) Japan & Russia
b) Japan & China
c) China & Vietnam
d) Japan & Philippines

Answer: b) Japan & China

11. Keywords for Rapid Revision

  • Dharma Guardian

  • JIMEX

  • Shinyuu Maitri

  • Quad

  • Indo-Pacific

  • Senkaku / Diaoyu

  • Yonaguni

  • Dokdo / Takeshima

  • Lipulekh Pass

  • JGSDF

12. One-Page Revision Summary

India and Japan conducted the 7th edition of Exercise Dharma Guardian in Uttarakhand in Feb 2026. It is an annual army exercise to improve interoperability, counter-terrorism training, and UN peacekeeping readiness. The exercise reflects growing India–Japan defence ties under Quad amid China’s aggressive expansion in East China Sea and Indo-Pacific, especially disputes over Senkaku Islands and Taiwan region. Japan is increasing defence spending due to regional security threats.

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