• A 14-day joint military exercise between the armies of India and Mongolia began at the Foreign Training Node in Meghalaya’s Umroi on July 3.

• The 16th edition of ‘Nomadic Elephant’ will be participated by Indian Army personnel from the Sikkim Scouts and other arms and services, while the Mongolian contingent will be represented by its army’s 150th Quick Reaction Force Battalion.

• Nomadic Elephant is an annual training exercise which is conducted alternatively in Mongolia and India. 

• The aim of the exercise is to enhance joint military capability of both sides to undertake counter insurgency operations in a sub-conventional scenario under Chapter VII of the United Nations Mandate. 

• The exercise will focus on operations in the semi-urban and mountainous terrain.

• The exercise will enable both sides to share their best practices in tactics, techniques and procedures of conducting joint operations. It will also facilitate developing interoperability, bonhomie and camaraderie between the two armies. 

• This will also enhance the level of defence cooperation, further augmenting bilateral relations between the two friendly nations.

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)

Which of the following statements about ‘Exercise Mitra Shakti-2023’ are correct? (2024)

1. This was a joint military exercise between India and Bangladesh.

2. It commenced in Aundh (Pune).

3. Joint response during counter-terrorism operations was a goal of this operation.

4. Indian Air Force was a part of this exercise.

Select the answer using the code given below:

a) 1, 2 and 3

b) 1, 2 and 4

c) 1, 3 and 4

d) 2, 3 and 4

Answer : D.

(The author is a trainer for Civil Services aspirants.)