A joint exercise conducted between the Coast Guards of India and Japan

Current Context: The Indian and Japanese Coast Guards conducted a successful joint exercise, ‘Sahyog Kaijin,’ off the Chennai coast in the Bay of Bengal. The exercise started on January 8.

• This exercise was held as per the Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) signed between India and Japan in 2006.
• The focus of the exercise was on pollution response training on hazardous and narcotics substances to combat maritime pollution.
• They also responded in real-time to aspects of chemical pollution at sea, with a particular focus on hazardous chemical substances, and safety measures, including hands-on practical training on the response equipment.
• This is the 20th such exercise conducted between the two Coast Guards since its institution in the year 2000.
• The Japan Coast Guard Ship ‘Yashima’ arrived in Chennai on January 10, 2024, on a four–day goodwill visit.

Question:

Q.1 When did the joint exercise between the Indian Coast Guard and Japan Coast Guard start?
a. January 6, 2024
b. January 8, 2024
c. January 10, 2024
d. January 12, 2024