Series of  'Exercise SHAKTI' between India and France commenced in year 2011. Its a biennial exercise and  is conducted alternately in India and France. As part of  Exercise SHAKTI – 2019,  French Army troops arrived in India on 26 October 2019 for training with Indian Troops. The bilateral  training exercise will be conducted at Foreign Training Node at Mahajan Field Firing Ranges, Rajasthan. A contingent of the Sikh Regiment of Sapta Shakti Command will represent Indian Army in this exercise. The French Army delegation will be represented by troops of 21^st Marine Infantry Regiment  of 6^th Armoured Brigade. The bilateral exercise will be conducted from  31 October 2019 to 13 November 2019.

The joint exercise will focus on Counter Terrorism operations in backdrop of semi-desert terrain under United Nations Mandate. The training will focus primarily on high degree of physical fitness, sharing of drill at tactical level and learning of best practices from each other. The exercise aims at enhancing understanding, cooperation and interoperability between the two Armies. The exercise will culminate in a 36 hrs long validation exercise which will involve neutralization of terrorists in a village hideout.

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Col Aman Anand

PRO (Army)