U.S. spl Ops Forces hold exercise with NSG in Hyderabad

The United States Special Forces Group stationed in Japan is involved in a joint exercise with India's National Security Guard here, aimed at enhancing the capabilities of the armed forces of the two countries.

The US forces are from the 1st Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) stationed out of Okinawa in Japan, a release from the US Consulate General said Wednesday.

The Hyderabad-exercise would help build interoperability and comradeship between the two forces and was designed to enhance the capabilities of both Indian and U.S. armed forces, it said.

The training focuses on mutual defense operations so both nations can more effectively employ forces and assist in the event of crises that may endanger public health and safety.

The exercise will be overseen from the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi and U.S. Special Operations Pacific Command at Camp H.M. Smith in Hawaii, the release said.

The U.S.-India security partnership is strong, and growing stronger. This Special Forces exercise in Hyderabad further advances our two countries' operational coordination, and it will clearly benefit both our nations, U.S. Consul General Katherine Hadda said.

Trainings such as the ongoing exercise was critical to U.S. Special Operations Forces, as soldiers learn how to effectively work with Indian partners in new environments, experience that will be valuable should a crisis occur.

The overall aim of the program was to enhance professionalism and the ability to operate together during times of crisis, the release said.

The US has recognised India as a major defence partner, and military collaboration between the two countries was a result of high-level trust and also consistent efforts to broaden the ways in which they can work together, it added.