• The 17th edition of joint military exercise ‘Surya Kiran’ between India and Nepal started in Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand. 

• The annual exercise, which is conducted alternately in India and in Nepal, will conclude on December 7.

• The two-week-long exercise is aimed at enhancing interoperability in jungle warfare, counter-terrorism operations in mountainous terrain and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief under the United Nations Charter on peacekeeping operations. 

• It will provide a platform for soldiers from India and Nepal to exchange ideas and experiences, share best practices and foster a deeper understanding of each other's operational procedures.

• The Nepal Army contingent comprises 334 personnel represented by Tara Dal Battalion, while the Indian Army contingent comprising 354 personnel is being led by a battalion from the Kumaon Regiment. 

India-Nepal defence cooperation

• India and Nepal have wide-ranging cooperation in the defence sector. India has been assisting the Nepal Army (NA) in its modernisation by supplying equipment and providing training. 

• Assistance during disasters, joint military exercises, adventure activities and bilateral visits are other aspects of India’s defence cooperation with Nepal. 

• A number of defence personnel from Nepal Army attend training courses in various Indian Army training institutions. 

• Since 1950, India and Nepal have been awarding each other’s Army Chief with the honorary rank of General in recognition of the mutual harmonious relationship between the two armies.

• The Gorkha regiments of the Indian Army are raised partly by recruitment from hill districts of Nepal. Currently, about 32,000 Gorkha Soldiers from Nepal are serving in the Indian Army.

Manorama Yearbook app is now available on Google Play Store and iOS App Store