India-US conclude joint military exercise

The 14-day "Yudh Abhyas 2014" India-US military exercise to strengthen and broaden inter-operability and cooperation between the two armies concluded Tuesday.

The exercise, which commenced Sep 17, brought together troops of a mountain brigade of the Indian Army and a company and brigade headquarters of the US Army, and was held in the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand.

"A magnificent joint parade by contingents of both armies marked the successful completion of the exercise," an official statement said.

Major General Lawrence Haskins of the US Army expressed satisfaction on the conduct of training and praised the efforts of the the Indian Army contingent.

"Besides promoting understanding and interoperability between the two armies, the exercise will further assist in strengthening ties between India and the US," the statement said.

The exercise was the 10th in "Yudh Abhyas" series, which started in 2004 under the US Army Pacific Partnership Programme.