India, Nepal Begin 16th Edition Of Joint Military Training Exercise

As many as 350 army personnel will take part in the joint exercise from both sides, according to the Nepal Army. 

The 'Surya Kiran' exercise is conducted annually in Nepal and India.

New Delhi: India and Nepal began the 16th edition of the joint military training exercise on Friday, PTI reported. The exercise is to share theoretical and practical experiences in jungle warfare related to counter-terrorism military skills as well as disaster management. 

A team from the Indian Army arrived in Nepal on Wednesday to participate in the "Surya Kiran" military training exercises taking place at Saljhandi in the Rupandehi district of Lumbini Zone near the Nepal-India border.

"The joint exercise would focus on evolution of combined drills for planning and conduct of tactical operations at unit level in counter terrorism operations and disaster response mechanism in general and role of armed forces in management of disaster." the Indian Ministry of Defence statement read. 

The exercise, which will focus on counter-terrorism, martial arts, humanitarian aid, natural disasters, environmental protection, will take place at the Integrated Military Training Centre in Saljhandi. 

As many as 350 army personnel will take part in the joint exercise from both sides, according to the Nepal Army. 

The forces share their experiences drawn from several counter-insurgency operations during the exercise. Both armies familiarize themselves with each other's weapons, equipment, tactics, techniques and operating procedures in a counter-insurgency environment. 

The 'Surya Kiran' exercise is conducted annually in Nepal and India. The joint exercise first started in 2011. The 15th edition of the joint exercise was held in Pithoragarh, India. 

The country shares a border of over 1,850 km with five Indian states – Sikkim, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Land-locked Nepal relies heavily on India for the transportation of goods and services.

Nepal is important for India in the context of its overall strategic interests in the region, and the leaders of the two countries have often noted the age-old “Roti Beti” relationship.

 

(With agency inputs)