India, Mongolia engage in joint military exercises

In an effort to develop international cooperation and joint training for UN peacekeeping missions, the Indian Army is participating in a joint exercise with its Mongolian counterpart from June 10 to 24.

The Indian Army is represented by 28 personnel, who are participating in several joint counter insurgency and counter terrorism operations, in Mongolia.

Codenamed 'Nomadic Elephant -2013', the exercise will focus specially on the needs of peacekeeping missions under the UN flag and will help in increasing the coordination and understanding between troops of the two nations.

Defence cooperation and relations between India and Mongolia have seen a steady growth over the last decade with the first joint exercise in 2004. For the last few years, the joint drills are being held every year. In 2012, the joint training was held at Belgaum, in Karnataka.