‘DUSTLIK II’: Indo-Uzbekistan Field Training Exercise

The India–Uzbekistan joint military exercise “DUSTLIK II” is being held in the Foreign Training Node Chaubatia at Ranikhet in the state of Uttarakhand. It is the second edition of annual bilateral joint exercise of both the armies. It will conclude on March 19, 2021.

Highlights

The first edition of DUSTLIK was held at Uzbekistan in the month of November, 2019. In the second edition of the exercise, around 45 soldiers from each of Indian army and Uzbekistan army are participating. During the exercise, both the armies will share their expertise and skills with respect to the counter-terrorism operations under the mandate of United Nations in Mountainous or Urban or Rural scenarios.

Validation exercise

The exercise will also culminate into a 36-hour joint validation exercise which is scheduled for March 17 to March 18, 2021. This exercise will be a testbed for soldiers of both the countries because under the exercise, the armies will undergo the challenges of actual operations in such scenarios.

Significance of the exercise

The joint exercise will provide an impetus to the military and diplomatic ties of the two countries. It also signifies the strong resolve of both the countries to counter-terrorism.

DUSTLIK

This was the first-ever joint military exercise between the armies of India and Uzbekistan. The exercise took place in the year 2019 in Uzbekistan. The curtain raiser of the exercise was chaired by the Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Defence Minister of Uzbekistan. It was held with the focus on counter terrorism. The exercise concluded on November 13, 2019. The Indian Army contingent was trained with Uzbekistan army.

Month: Current Affairs - March, 2021