India, China 'Hand-in-Hand' joint exercise from Nov 16

In continuation of the series of joint exercises between India and China, the exercise 'Hand-in-Hand 2014' is all set to commence at Pune's Aundh Camp on November 16.

This will be the fourth joint training exercise by the Indian Army with People's Liberation Army of China.

While the second edition of the exercise was held at Belgaum in 2008, it has been conducted twice in China in 2007 and 2013.

The aim of the joint training is to share the drills and practices learnt while tackling insurgency and terrorism, thereby promoting healthy military to military relations between the two armies and developing joint strategies of conducting operations in a counter terrorism environment.

Forming part of the different levels of the military to military engagement across the entire spectrum of operations, this exercise will enrich the two contingents in further honing basic military skills.

The exercise is planned at the company level with respective battalion headquarters controlling the training.

The training and manoeuvres, to be conducted at Aundh Military Cantonment, College of Military Engineering and firing ranges at Dighi, Pune, are to be supervised by a Joint Directing Panel comprising senior officials of both the nations.

Helicopters of Indian Air Force will also be taking active part in the various maneuvers planned in the exercise.

Senior military observers of both countries will be attending the opening ceremony scheduled to be held at Aundh Military Station on November 17.

Image: Representative Image from 'Hand-in-Hand 2013'