The fifth edition of the Joint Exercises between India and Kazakhstan are being held at Aisha Bibi, the Training Node in Kazakhstan. The drills will continue from 1-10th September 2021. The exercises aim to follow the mandate passed by the United Nations towards conducting counter terror operations. The UN has expressed distressed about the rise of terrorism on several occasions and encourages countries to hold cooperative exercises and drills to prepare much better for testing situations.
The opening ceremony of the exercises began with march-past of contingents and military band display. The contingent comprises of 120 troops from Kazakhstan and 90 soldiers from the Indian army. Both the groups will share their expertise and and skills with respect to counter terror operations. It will also cover focussed drills that can be useful in the mountainous, rural scenario and will work towards making the soldiers better adept at fighting terrorists in hilly terrains and difficult circumstances.
This exercise will also strengthen the mutual confidence, interoperability and will enable sharing of best practices between the armed forces of both the countries. It is expected to improve the impetus of the evolving military and diplomatic relationship between India and Kazakhstan.
India and Kazakhstan signed the Join Declaration on Strategic Partnership in 2009 to advance issues of mutual interests. Kazakhstan continues to support India in its nuclear power endeavours. They also signed the Memorandum of Understanding between Nuclear Power Corporation of India and the National Atomic Company Kazatomprom JSC and there have been talks of enhanced cooperation in the realm of peaceful uses of nuclear energy. There has also been a Defence and Military Technical cooperation agreement signed in 2015.
Terrorism is an issue of concern for countries around the world. Currently, due to the rise of Taliban in Afghanistan, the neighbouring nations have alerted their border securities and armed forces to keep a check. There is an expectation of a rise in the menace of non state actors especially terrorism. It is important that the armed forces are aware of the danger and equipped to fight it in the proper manner. Thus these exercises are extremely crucial. Since both the countries have high stakes, the efforts are bound to be taken much more seriously. The best practices exchange will make both India and Kazakhstan much more prepared in dire situations.
