Pune: India and African Nations Strengthen Military Ties Through Joint Exercise AFINDEX-2023
Mubarak Ansari
Pune, 29th March 2023: Today, the second edition of the joint military exercise “The Africa-India Field Training Exercise (AFINDEX-2023)” successfully concluded at the Foreign Training Node in Aundh, Pune.
Held from March 16th to March 29th, 2023, the multinational exercise involved 124 participants from 25 African nations and Indian troops from the SIKH, MARATHA, and MAHAR regiments. The validation phase was witnessed by General Manoj Pande, Chief of the Army Staff, and all the African Chiefs and representatives who attended the Chiefs’ Conclave.
The aim of AFINDEX-2023 was to build positive military relations, share best practices, and enhance the ability to operate together while undertaking Humanitarian Mine Action and Peace Keeping Operations under the UN mandate. This joint exercise will enable the armies to learn and adopt methodologies and tactics while conducting such operations, as well as assist in the correct interpretation of Rules of Engagement during Peace Keeping Operations.
The bonhomie, esprit-de-corps, and goodwill generated during the exercise will strengthen the bonds between the armies by enabling a better understanding of each other’s organization and methodology of conducting various operations. This exercise is a harbinger of greater cooperation between Indian and African armies in the future.
On the sidelines of the exercise, an “Equipment Display” was organized, showcasing 75 indigenous products from 32 industries manufactured under “Make in India.” African Army Chiefs, representatives of Chiefs, and participants of the African nations also witnessed the event.
Addressing the soldiers, General Pande said, “The aim of AFINDEX-2023 was not only to jointly train all participant contingents in Humanitarian Mine Action and Peace Keeping Operations, but in so doing, enhance cooperation, share best practices and achieve interoperability amongst all African Armies. The conduct of such operations in joint forces environment under a UN mandate is a challenging task, especially for Chapter VII missions. The additional demands of operating in this environment within mandated Rules of Engagement is always a challenging task for Troop Contributing Countries. Exercises like AFINDEX go long way in helping all of us to conduct our military operations effectively in a UN environment.
The focus of training on Humanitarian Mine Action has been on education and awareness, casualty evacuation, victim rehabilitation, and land release and re-use techniques. The focus of training on peacekeeping operations has been on understanding the mandate of peacekeeping operations, mission organization, protection of civilians, combat deployment and legal aspects.
Joint exercises are an unparalleled platform to foster the spirit of friendship and hone military skills and capabilities and refine our joint techniques, tactics and procedures in the conduct of such operations.”
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