Japanese warships dock in Kochi

KOCHI: Two destroyers of Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF)- JDS Takanami and JDS Ohnami- called at Kochi for a brief stopover on their way for anti-piracy deployment in the Gulf of Aden. Captain Takaki Mizuma, Commander, Escort Division Six is the senior officer embarked. INS Nireekshak from Southern Naval Command welcomed the visiting ships at the entrance to Kochi harbour. Officials from the Southern Naval Command along with the Naval Band attended the reception arranged for the ships at their berths. Colonel Nobutaka Mikasa, the Defence Attache of Japan to India and the consulate officials from Chennai have arrived to welcome the ship. The Commander, Escort Division Six and other senior members of the delegation called on Rear Admiral Sudarshan Shrikhande, Chief of Staff, Southern Naval Command. Mutual visits between the two navies and professional exchanges on topics of mutual interest were conducted during the day.  The ships will depart on Friday.