New Delhi: India and Japan have commenced the fourth of the series of joint Coast Guard exercises on maritime search and anti-piracy off the Kobe coast.

An Indian Coast Guard offshore patrol vessel C G Sangram equipped with helicopter is taking part in the joint exercises along with eight Japanese Coast Guard vessels, a Coast Guard spokesman said.

The director general of the force, Vice Admiral Suresh Mehta, was also present to witness the exercises along with top Japanese Coast Guard officers.

PTI