India, France start joint military exercise
Xinhua, January 8, 2016 Adjust font size:
India and France Friday began a joint military exercise in the western state of Rajasthan.
The eight-day counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency exercise includes a French contingent comprising 56 personnel of the 35th Infantry Regiment of the 7th Armoured Brigade, sources said.
The French contingent, which had served in Afghanistan, is led by Major Thibaut De Lacoste Lareymondie, they said.
On the Indian side, troops from the 2nd battalion of the Garhwal Rifles are participating in the exercise code-namded Shakti-2016, the sources said.
"The exercise is an important step for the armies to train together and gain from each other's rich operational experience," the Indian Army has said in a statement.
"Both countries have troops deployed in counter-insurgency and counter-terrorist operations and therefore sharing each other's military experiences will pay meaningful dividends." Endit