'Exercise Maitree 2017' commences in Himachal

The 14-day joint training exercise of the Indian Army with the Royal Thailand Army, "Exercise Maitree 2017", which commenced today at Bakloh in Himachal Pradesh, aims at building and promoting closer relations while exchanging skills and experiences between both the armies.

"Exercise Maitree 2017" is a continuation of a series of joint exercises between the Indian Army and the Royal Thailand Army. The previous edition of the exercise was held at Krabi, Thailand in 2016.

This joint exercise will be conducted in a manner so as to acquaint both contingents with each other's operating procedures in the backdrop of counter insurgency/ counter terrorism environment.

Earlier, the contingent from the Royal Thailand Army, comprising approximately 50 soldiers landed at Gaggal Airport yesterday.

In the initial stages of the exercise, both the armies would get familiar with the respective methodology of such operations, each other's arms and equipment and command and control system.

It will then graduate towards tactical understanding to enhance interoperability while carrying out operations to counter insurgency and terrorism.

Maitree series of bilateral exercises has been one of the major defence cooperation initiatives between India and Thailand.