Indian troops.
The 16th edition of Nepal-India joint training Exercise 'SURYA KIRAN-XVI', which begins tomorrow (Friday), will be focused 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, according to India's Defense Ministry.
Issuing a statement on Thursday, the Indian ministry said that participants will be training together to develop inter-operability and share their experience including counter insurgency and counter terrorist operations and also on humanitarian relief operations.
The joint military exercise will be held at Nepal Army Battle School, Saljhandi, Rupandehi, from December 16 – 29. A delegation of the Indian Army arrived in Saljhandi on Wednesday.
"The joint military exercise will enhance the level of defence cooperation which will further foster the bilateral relations between the two nations," read the press release.
According to spokesperson for the Nepal Army, Narayan Silwal, a contingent of Indian Army arrived in Saljhandi on Wednesday to participate in the joint exercise.
"This is a routine military exercise between the two armies," Silwal told Nepalkhabar.
The exercise titled 'SURYA KIRAN' is conducted annually between India and Nepal with the aim to enhance interoperability in jungle warfare and counter terrorism operations in mountainous terrain and HADR under UN mandate.
Nepal Army soldiers of Shree Bhawani Baksh Battalion and Indian Army soldiers from the 5 GR will be participating in the exercise.
According to India's Defense Ministry, the two armies, through these contingents, shall be sharing the experiences gained during the conduct of various counter-insurgency operations over the years in their respective countries.
The Nepal-India battalion-level joint military exercise is conducted alternately in Nepal and India. In September 2021, the training took place in Pithoragarh, India.
