India, Seychelles to kick-start 10-day military exercise from today

Categories: NEWS OF INDIA

                           India and Seychelles will kick-start a 10-day military exercise on Tuesday as part of efforts to further boost overall security cooperation in the Indian Ocean amid China's growing assertiveness in the region.Exercise LAMITIYE will take place at the Seychelles Defence Academy (SDA) from March 22 to 31, and it will feature a range of complex military drills, demonstrations and discussions, officials said.

                         "The objective of the joint training exercise is to build and promote bilateral military relations in addition to exchanging skills, experiences and good practices between both the armies," the defence ministry said.The exercise will also witness showcasing of new-generation equipment and technology for conducting joint operations. "Due emphasis will be laid on enhancing tactical skills in combating hostile forces in the semi-urban environment and on increasing interoperability between forces," the ministry said in a statement.

                          The Indian Army contingent comprising troops from the Gorkha Rifles arrived in Seychelles on Monday. "The joint military exercise will enhance the level of defence co-operation between Indian Army and Seychelles Defence Forces (SDF) and will further manifest in enhancing the bilateral relations between the two countries," the ministry said."We look forward to sharing practical aspects to comprehend and put in practice the validated drills, procedures as well as amalgamation of new technology in sub-conventional operations through numerous situation-based discussions and tactical exercises," said Major Abhishek Nepal Singh, company commander of the Indian Army contingent.