The seventh Indo - Russian joint training Exercise INDRA - 2015 commenced at Mahajan Field Firing Ranges on 08 November 2015 with an impressive opening ceremony that saw the unfurling of the National Flags of both countries amidst playing of their National Anthems. 

            Earlier on November 07, The Russian contingent from an Independent Motorised Brigade comprising 250 Military personnel along with supporting staff landed at Bikaner directly from Russia.  The 14-day training schedule is focused on training on ‘Counter Terrorism Operations in the backdrop of Desert terrain under a United Nations Mandate’.

            The opening ceremony was held at Mahajan Field Firing Ranges. Maj Gen PC Thimmaya, General Officer Commanding, Red Eagle Division welcomed the Russian contingent and urged both contingents to strive to understand each others’ battle drills and procedures, so as to achieve optimum cohesion and enhanced inter operability between the two forces.  He stressed upon the importance of free exchange in ideas, discussion of concepts and assimilation of best practices between the troops of the two nations. Enhancing mutual confidence and inter-operability between the two armies would be a priority, he stated.

  The conduct of this joint military exercise is seen as an important step to reinforce actions related to the establishment and fostering of peace, prosperity and stability in the world by the two nations.  The welcome speeches and ceremonies were followed by showcasing of cultural programmes by both sides. They would undergo an intense phase of training in the coming days. The exercise is scheduled to finally terminate on November 20, 2015.

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Manoj Tuli

APRO (Army)