E-Paper
India, Nepal begin joint military exercise in Uttarakhand
The militaries of the two neighbouring countries will be training together to develop inter-operability and share their experience of counter-terrorism and disaster relief operations.
India and Nepal began on Monday a 14-day combined battalion-level military exercise, called ‘Surya Kiran’, in Uttarakhand's Pithoragarh.
During the exercise, which will continue till October 3, an Infantry Battalion each from the Indian Army and the Nepali Army will be training together to develop inter-operability and share their experience of counter-terrorism and disaster relief operations.
More than 650 soldiers from both the countries, including the Indian Army's Garhwal Regiment, are participating in the 15th edition of the exercise at the Friendship Ground of the Army in Pithoragarh.
An Army officer involved with the joint exercise said it includes 48 hours of gruelling drill to validate counter insurgency operations in mountainous terrains.
The exercise will improve bilateral relationship between two armies and will be a major step to strengthen friendly relations between countries, he said.
"Every year there is a battalion exercise. One year it is in Nepal and, another year it is held in India. It is an exercise, in which we will establish military relations between the two countries. To provide training in counter-terrorism and to provide humanitarian assistance, medical evacuation under disaster management, we will be conducting this exercise," lieutenant seneral SS Mahal was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
The previous Surya Kiran military exercise was held in Nepal in 2019.
