Image from the 14th edition of the bilateral annual military exercise | Image Courtesy: https://www.republicworld.com/
From 16 to 29 December 2022, the 16th edition of the Indo-Nepal joint training exercise “SURYA KIRAN-XVI” will be conducted at the Nepal Army Battle School, Saljhandi (Nepal). Surya Kiran is a bilateral Joint Military Exercise between India and Nepal. Indian Army and Nepal Army participate in the Surya Kiran exercise.
During the exercise, Nepalese Army soldiers from the Shree Bhawani Baksh Battalion and Indian Army soldiers from the 5 GR will take part. Through these contingents, the two armies will share their experiences gained over the years from various counter-insurgency operations in their respective countries. Joint exercises will focus on the evolution of combined drills for planning and conducting tactical operations at the unit level in counterterrorism operations and disaster response mechanisms in general. In addition, they will focus on the role of the armed forces in disaster management.
In this exercise, participants will train together in order to develop interoperability and share their experience regarding counterinsurgency and counter-terrorism operations as well as humanitarian relief operations.
The joint military exercise will enhance the level of defense cooperation which will further foster bilateral relations between the two nations.
About SURYA KIRAN Exercise
SURYA KIRAN is an annual exercise conducted between India and Nepal to enhance interoperability in jungle warfare and counter-terrorism operations in mountainous terrain, as well as humanitarian assistance under UN mandate. The 16th Edition Indo-Nepal joint training Exercise will commence on 16 December and concludes on 29 December 2022.
The 15th edition of Indo–Nepal Joint Military Training Exercise Surya Kiran commenced on September 20, 2021, at Pithoragarh in Uttarakhand.