First BIMSTEC military exercise to be held in India

[Hindustani78]

Kathmandu, September 08, 2018 22:43 IST
Updated: September 08, 2018 22:43 IST

The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) comprises Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bhutan and Nepal.

The Army has withdrawn from the first BIMSTEC military exercise to be held in India following a political row in the country over the participation in the event, a media report said on Saturday.

The move came after strong criticism from different quarters, including influential leaders of the ruling Nepal Communist Party.

Prime Minister K.P. Oli asked the national defence force to participate in the drill, compelling the Nepal Army leadership to rollback its earlier decision to take part in the first-ever military exercise of the regional grouping initiated by India. The decision was taken just a day before the Army squad was set to travel to Pune, where the drill will commence on Monday, the Kathmandu Post reported.

 

[Fawadqasim1]

China's investments have started paying dividends

 

[Hindustani78]

China's investments have started paying dividends

Chinese investment can work only with Pakistan and Bhutan but it would be rejected by the rest of the SAARC nations.

Actually Chinese investment for Pakistan means more surrendering of Pakistan Soveriginity to the Chinese and now all the disputes between Republic of India and the Chinese are being debated to solve the dispute but the Chinese are working to solve the Pakistan dispute with Republic of India and here the terms are being dictated from Beijing and Rawalpindi is having nothing to say.

Now the biggest question, Will the Pakistani establishment will withdraw from Kashmir, Gilgit and Baltistan, if the Chinese will work out some land swapping deal with Republic of India. Chinese are using Pakistan as carrot and stick and its clearly visible.

 

[Fawadqasim1]

Chinese investment can work only with Pakistan and Bhutan but it would be rejected by the rest of the SAARC nations.

Actually Chinese investment for Pakistan means more surrendering of Pakistan Soveriginity to the Chinese and now all the disputes between Republic of India and the Chinese are being debated to solve the dispute but the Chinese are working to solve the Pakistan dispute with Republic of India and here the terms are being dictated from Beijing and Rawalpindi is having nothing to say.

Now the biggest question, Will the Pakistani establishment will withdraw from Kashmir, Gilgit and Baltistan, if the Chinese will work out some land swapping deal with Republic of India. Chinese are using Pakistan as carrot and stick and its clearly visible.

 

[Hindustani78]

https://www.thehindu.com/news/natio...se-with-bimstec-countries/article24897121.ece
Pune, September 08, 2018 00:14 IST
Updated: September 08, 2018 00:14 IST


Week-long drill will focus on counter-terrorism in semi-urban areas

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.

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Defence
10-September, 2018 16:41 IST
Opening Ceremony: Bay of Bengal initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC),

Field Training Military Exercise (MILEX-18) on 10 September 18 at Aundh Military Station

The Inaugural Military Field Training Exercise for the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi Sectoral Technological and Economic Cooperation nations named MILEX-18 scheduled from 10 September 18 to 16 September 18 started with a Grand Opening Ceremony on 10 September 18 at Aundh Military Station. Contingents of the member nations came together for the Opening Ceremony. The Parade was Commanded by Captain Gaurav Sharma, who is part of the participating Indian contingent. The Contingents marched together smartly at the Drill Ground of Aundh Military Station. Major General Sanjeev Sharma, General Officer Commanding, Golden Katar Division, Chief Guest for the Opening Ceremony, reviewed the Parade, in presence of number of Officers and officials of participating nations. During the parade there was also a fly past of Army Aviation helicopters who carried the National flags of the member nations. The General Officer Commanding interacted with the Contingents after the completion of the Parade. The members of all participating nations also interacted and familiarised with each other after the Opening Ceremony.

The aim of the forthcoming exercise is to practice the BIMSTEC Nations in planning and conduct of counter terrorist operations. The exercise schedule is focused upon learning of best practices, team building & special tactical level operations in a counter-terrorist environment in semi urban setting. The inaugural edition of the BIMSTEC MILEX 18 was carried out in all Military grandeur, razor edge precision and with complete sanctity that a Military Parade should display.

Col Aman Anand
PRO (Army)

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Defence
16-September, 2018 20:34 IST
Inaugural Edition of Bimstec Milex-18 Culminates at Pune with an Impressive Closing Ceremony at Pune on 16 September 18

The Inaugural Edition of the BIMSTEC Nations Military Field Training Exercise i.e. MILEX - 2018 culminated on 16 September 18 after a Validation Exercise and an impressive Closing Ceremony held at Foreign Training Node, Aundh Military Station, Pune. Dr Subash Bhambre, Hon’ble Raksha Rajya Mantri was the Chief Guest for the Ceremony. The other dignitaries included Mr Shahidul Islam, General Secretary of BIMSTEC forum, Service Chiefs of BIMSTEC nations, senior Military officers of the Indian Army and representatives of the BIMSTEC Nations who witnessed a Joint Validation Exercise conducted at the training area of Aundh Military Station. The tactical drills showcased during the Validation Exercise included Hostage Rescue by insertion of troops from helicopters, Room Intervention as well as House Clearing Drill as part of Cordon and Search Operations, Raid on a militants Hideout and neutralization of Improvised Explosive Devices(IED). The entire exercise was monitored and controlled through the Joint Command Post established with representatives of the participating contingents. The Exercise demonstrated the commitment and capabilities of the participating BIMSTEC National armies in working closely with each other to eradicate the menace of terrorism existing in different forms.

The Validation Exercise was followed by an equipment display organised under the aegis of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) at Aundh Military Station. Dr Subash Bhambre alongwith the Service Chiefs and other senior army officers witnessed more than 250 indigenously developed defence related equipment. Almost 20 different agencies dealing with defence equipment participated in the display including Ordnance Factories, Defence and Research Development Organisation (DRDO), leading private sector companies, startups etc to showcase some of the latest weapon systems and vehicles produced indigenously. Hon’ble Raksha Rajya Mantri alongwith General Bipin Rawat and General Secretary of BIMSTEC also interacted with the media before the Closing Ceremony.

During the Closing Ceremony, Dr Subhash Bhambre reviewed an impressive parade of the participating nations at the drill square of Aundh Military Station in the presence of dignitaries from the BIMSTEC Nations. The parade was commanded by Captain Gaurav Sharma, who is a member of the participating Indian Contingent. The Raksha Rajya Mantri addressed the contingents and dignitaries and congratulated the participating nations for an Impressive parade. He also complimented the troops for the professionalism shown by them during the Exercise. He said that “The MILEX-18 Exercise has provided us all an opportunity to discuss the issue of Countering Terrorism from the military point of view with an endeavour to create synergy, better understanding and evolving of an institutionalized mechanism for regional cooperation in the field of Counter Terrorist Operations. This Exercise and Army Chief’s Conclave held yesterday will further augment the relations between all BIMSTEC nations”.

The exercise has been a grand success and has taught valuable lessons to the troops of the Bay of Bengal region in countering terrorism. The camaraderie and friendship developed between the contingents during the course of the exercise will assist in enhancing interoperability between the armies which may be called upon to collectively fight this growing menace of terrorism in the region.

******

Col Aman Anand

PRO (Army)