Afindex 2019: Indian Army kicks-off field training exercise with 17 African nations in Pune

Our world is facing a serious challenge wherein various belligerent groups are affecting society across nations. Towards this end, it has become imperative to share best practices in the fields of humanitarian mine assistance and peacekeeping operations to ensure overall peace in the region,” said Major General Sanjeev Sharma, General Officer Commanding, Golden Katar Division, chief guest for the opening ceremony of the inaugural Africa-India Field Training Exercise 2019, Afindex-19, on Monday, at the Aundh Military Station.
Contingents from 17 African nations - Benin, Botswana, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe - along with a contingent of the Maratha Light Infantry (Jangi Paltan) representing India, have come together for the first edition of this training exercise.
As part of its defence cooperation, India, over the years, has extended training to a large number of African military officers in various military institutions. India is one of the largest contributors to peacekeeping in Africa.
It has participated in the United Nations peacekeeping missions in Africa and currently, has sizeable contingents in the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan. The importance of engaging with Africa had been identified at the highest level and had been encapsulated in the India –Africa Forum Summit 2015.
The exercise, Afindex-19, will focus on exchange of best practices between participating nations, team building and tactical level operations in conduct of the United Nations mandated tasks to include establishment of a new mission; siting of a United Nations headquarters for peace keeping operations; siting of military observer sites during the peace keeping missions; protection of civilians; nuances of standing combat deployment; convoy protection; patrolling aspects and aspects related to humanitarian mine assistance.
The field training exercise which will be held from March 18 to March 27 will see contingents comprising 10 personnel each from the participating nations. “The aim of this joint training exercise is to acquaint the contingents with each other’s operational procedures, thus, ensuring better operability and compatibility,” added Sharma.
“Afindex-19 is the very first edition of the joint training conducted between India and 17 African nations. All the troops participating have been part of the various UN missions across the world and to this effect, I am sure that the contingents will benefit immensely from the training exposure focussing on joint drills. I am confident that at the end of the joint training exercise, contingents would have not only achieved military objectives of inter-operability, but also would have enhanced the diplomatic and the cultural bond between the nations and made new friends and comrades in arms,” said Major General Sanjeev Sharma.
Major General Sharma also reviewed the parade during the opening ceremony, in presence of defence attaches and other officials of participating nations. The parade was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Gaurav Seth, who is a part of the participating Indian contingent. A fly past by a set of Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) and Cheetah Helicopter of the Indian Army carrying the flags of the United Nations, India and the Afindex was the highlight of the opening ceremony.
-
Delhiwale: This way to Ajmeri Gate
This venerable stone gateway originally signposted the way to the aforementioned pilgrim town. One of the 14 Mughal-era gateways to punctuate the Walled City’s wall, the graceful Ajmeri Gate today is like a queen without her palace.
-
Delhi: Cop’s hunt for kidnapper ends after a 15-year wait
Assistant sub-inspector (ASI) Sanjeev Tomar’s quest ended on May 28, when he and members of his team arrested a man named Hari Om for abducting and killing Choudhary. Tomar, 47, now posted with the crime branch, was a constable at the Badarpur police station when the crime took place in 2007.
-
89 new trucks to help DFS speed up rescue operations
The approval for purchasing 89 new fire trucks was sought against the condemnation of 60 fire trucks, which have diesel engines and have reached their expiry time of 10 years, and have to be taken off service.
-
ED arrests 2 more in money laundering case against Delhi minister Satyendar Jain
Vaibhav and Ankush were arrested under the provisions of Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). ED said both are directors of Ram Prakash Jewellers Pvt Ltd, which was raided on June 6. After the searches at premises linked to six people including the jewellery firm’s five directors, ED said it recovered ₹2.85 crore and 133 gold coins, alleging that the gold was from “unexplained sources” and was “secreted” in the properties.
-
Problem of plenty: Ban no bar, Delhi markets struggle to get rid of plastics
Following the latest notification of the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2022 in February, the central government directed all states and union territories (UTs) to phase out SUPs in a planned manner by July 1, 2022.