ASEAN Plus Multinational Field Training Exercise ‘Ex Force 18’ commences at Pune

ASEAN Plus Multinational Field Training Exercise ‘Ex Force 18’ commences at Pune

     Multinational Field Training Exercise (FTX) – Exercise FORCE 18, involving ASEAN Plus countries commenced at Pune today displaying true jointmanship and team spirit. This is the largest Ground Forces Exercise ever conducted on Indian soil and would be conducted from 02 to 08 March 2016 with themes based on ‘Humanitarian Mine Action’ and ‘Peacekeeping Operations’.

 In its first phase, over 28 foreign trainers were trained by the Indian Army from 24 Feb to 01 Mar 2016. These trainers will form the training backbone for the conduct of ‘Exercise FORCE 18’.

A grand opening ceremony was held at Aundh Military Station which was presided over by Lt Gen Bipin Rawat, Army Commander of Pune based Southern Command. The ceremony began with marching in of the various participating contingents from the ASEAN Plus nations. 

The ceremony witnessed playing of National Anthem and fly past and was followed by playing the National Anthem of participating countries of ASEAN. Thereafter, Lt Gen Bipin Rawat delivered his opening speech where he highlighted the importance of ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting (ADMM) Plus forum to meet the regional aspirations of peace, security and addressing issues related to mitigating the effects of Mine Menace in many of the South East nations. 

He added that Exercise FORCE 18, would build common understanding and achieve interoperability amongst the 18 ASEAN Plus countries. The General officer also wished everyone for a professionally satisfying experience and declared the training event ‘Open’.

The foreign participants also witnessed martial skills performed by the Indian Army, including Drill by soldiers from the Mechanised Infantry Regimental Centre.

The Indian Army contingent of 40 soldiers is being led by Lt Col Sophia Qureshi, a Woman Officer from the Corps of Signals, who now has the rare distinction of becoming the first woman officer to lead an Indian Army training contingent in such a large multinational exercise. The officer also happens to be the only Woman Officer Contingent Commander amongst all other ASEAN Plus contingents present for the exercise.

Later, in the day the FTX participants were briefed about the exercise settings and its conduct on the sand model. Over 80 foreign dignitaries would be witnessing the culmination of the multinational FTX on 07 and 08 March 2016. The high level dignitaries include Deputy Chief of General Staff from Vietnam People’s Army(equivalent to Indian Chief of Army Staff), a three star officer from Mine Action Centre from Thailand and Director General from South Korea.

Apart from this, senior officers from Ministry of Defence, Ministry of External Affairs and other government organizations including the Defence Secretary are also likely to witness the FTX.

-PTI

Rajnath's China Visit, Border issues Discussed

Rajnath's China Visit, Border issues Discussed

    Home minister Rajnath singh scheduled a five day visit to China starting from this November 19th, Key issues like border problems, Naxal insurgency and joint effort to neutralize terrorism will be  discussed. Another key issues like South China sea and relations with ASEAN also likely to be discussed. Home minister plans to meet Chinese government officials to increase the co operation between both nations when dealing with International issues like Middle East issues and South China sea issue.

    Rajanth's visit will focus the border tensions along the International border starting from Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh, The Modi led government invested in Chinese border to fortify the border with new infrastructures and additional troops. China contentiously protesting Indian advancement close to borders, which include several new out posts and Advanced Landing Grounds.

    Previous UPA Regime halted building additional watch towers, deployment of additional troops and official visit to Arunachal due to heavy Chinese pressure. However the new government didn't listen Chinese protests and continuing fortifying the borders with latest equipment and additional troops.

    Border Incursion's are often happen in such high altitudes, since both have no clear sights of their respective borders. The Chinese were more active on incursion and breaching Indian lines. Recent incident close to Daulat beg oldie created small hamper between two nations, when China constructed a small watch tower inside Indian boundary which will be destroyed by Indian forces later, Some sources reported that India alerted the Special forces for quick deployment in the incident zone for further Action. Later it was solved peacefully with flag meetings.  

     Most of the border incidents with China solved peacefully these days, with two party's flag meeting involving military and government officials to ease the tensions. China nowadays not interested in flag meets, which led further escalation in the issues. Rajnath will ask Chinese military and government officials to hold flag meeting regularly without failing.

    Rajant also meet Chinese officials to discuss about Naxal and maoist insurgency and possible Chinese funding of money and arms to the insurgents. North east militant groups actively get supports from Chinese covert agents. Earlier Indian Para military forces found Chinese originated small arms and ammunition in hands of Maoists and Naxals. Which makes controversy between two nations. Just like how Pakistan help Kashmir separatists, China doing with Naxals and Maoists.

     India and China will hold talks to neutralize ISIS terrorists activity in Asia, Uighur militants in China and Kashmir Militants in India would easily brainwashed by ISIS to carry out bigger attacks towards civilians. Both India and China would work jointly to thwart such plans. Both agreed to share any information regarding such terrorism planned against others.

  

  Rajnath planning to skip the South China sea issue in his visit, India taken wise step to stand against China in the South China sea in the name of free usage of International waters. India actively working to solve the disputes in the South China sea by conducting patrol missions close to Chinese artificial Island. India also deployed a Naval ship in South China sea as a operational deployment of India's act east policy.

    China also forced India to don't join the ASEAN nation's alliance, A state formation who teamed up against Chinese action in South China sea.  India will not join the ASEAN alliance however India may Stand with ASEAN nations statements and supports International freedom of Navigation mission over South China sea. Indian Navy also plans to fly FoN mission above the Chinese Artificial Islands.