India-Nepal military exercise begins; focus on counterterrorism, aid assistance
India-Nepal military exercise begins; focus on counterterrorism, aid assistance India-Nepal military exercise begins; focus on counterterrorism, aid assistance
India and Nepal began their joint military exercise, ‘Surya Kiran’, in Nepal’s Saljhandi on Tuesday. The battalion-level exercise, which is the 18th edition, will go on till January 13.
During the exercise, an infantry battalion each from the Indian Army and the Nepali Army will be training together to develop interoperability and share their experience of unorthodox modes of warfare, including counterinsurgency, counter-terrorist operations, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.
advertisement
A traditional opening ceremony was organised to mark the commencement of the exercise in which both contingents marched in harmony to the Indian and Nepali military tunes.
Major General Prem Bahadur Gurung, General Officer Commanding Mid West Division, Nepal Army, addressed the gathering and called on the military contingents of both nations to gain from each other’s rich experience, boosting interoperability while simultaneously strengthening the brotherhood between the two countries.
The Indian Army contingent is being led by a battalion from the 11th Gorkha Rifles. The Nepal Army contingent will be represented by Srijung Battalion.
The Indian Army contingent had reached Saljhandi on December 29 where they were accorded a traditional military reception. Around 700 defence personnel from both armies participated in the event.