India is to conduct joint military exercises with Australia, Bangladesh, China, France, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Nepal, Russia, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Thailand, United Kingdom and United States of America this year. The objective of these exercises is to enhance bilateral defence cooperation through interactions between the armies of two countries.
Minister of State for Defence Subhash Bhamre gave this information in the Lok Sabha today. Answering a question he said military exercises like these enhance bilateral defence cooperation. They enable the participating armies to learn the best practices followed by other countries for mutual benefits. He recalled that India and Oman have just concluded a joint military exercise at Bakloh in Himachal Pradesh from 6 to 19th of this month. 59 troops from the Royal Army of Oman participated in the exercise, he said.