The first joint military exercise of the seven member countries of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), with a focus on counter-terrorism in semi-urban areas, is set to commence in Pune on September 10.
The week-long field training exercise, named MILEX-18, is to be held between September 10 and 16 at the city’s Aundh Military Station, said Lt. Gen. D.R. Soni, Chief, Southern Command, pointing out that this is a crucial step towards regional security and diplomacy. The armies of India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and Thailand will be participating.
“India is endeavouring to initiate a process of sharing counter-terrorism strategies with the member countries via this drill. Platoon-sized contingents of the BIMSTEC nations armies will take part in the exercise to be conducted at the Aundh Military Station’s foreign training node,” said Lt. Gen. Soni.
The exercise will include training in search-and-cordon operations and handling and neutralisation of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) among other things.
Five officers, 25 Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs) and personnel of other ranks from all member countries, except Thailand, will take part, he said. “Thailand will only be sending a group of observers owing to prior commitments,” he added.
Minister of State for Defence Subhash Bhambre is to attend the validation exercise, along with the service chiefs of the seven nations, on September 16.
“In addition, an inaugural ‘Chief’s Conclave’ is also being organised at the College of Military Engineering on September 15 under the aegis of the Southern Command. Former Indian diplomat G. Parthasarthy will be its moderator,” said Lt. Gen. Soni.