INDIA BANGLADESH JOINT MILITARY EXERCISE: CLOSING CEREMONY.

The Eleventh edition of bilateral Military Exercise SAMPRITI-XI between India and Bangladesh which commenced at the Joint Training Node, Umroi on 03 Oct 2023 came to close on 16 Oct 2023. The Closing Ceremony of the joint military exercise between Indian and Bangladesh Army, ‘Exercise SAMPRITI-XI was held at Joint Training Node, Umroi on 16 Oct 2023. The aim of the exercise was to achieve inter-operability and to acquaint each other with employment of joint task force in Sub Conventional operations under Chapter-VII of UN Mandate (UNPKO). Both the armies were able to achieve the earmarked aim. The Bangladesh contingent comprised a group of 170 soldiers of 52 Infantry Brigade and Indian contingent comprised of 170 soldiers of 15th Battalion The Rajput Regiment from 66 Mountain Brigade. The 340 soldiers from both Bangladesh and Indian Armies shared their experience gained from conduct of various operations across the globe in the past.

The exercise was conducted in two phases. During the first phase, Command Post Exercise was conducted and in second phase Validation Exercise and Field Training Exercise including Battle Inoculation was conducted.  Both the contingents jointly took part in the validation exercise which included cordon and search operations, room interventions alongwith air efforts. The exercise also included display and active use of new generation weapon and equipment by both armies.

Indo-Bangladesh joint exercise is organise on annual basis, alternate by India and Bangladesh on reciprocity basis under the exercise name SAMPRITI. First Exercise SAMPRITI was held at Jorhat, India in the year 2009. A total of 10 Editions of joint exercise between two nations have been conducted till 2022.A closing ceremony was organised to felicitate outstanding soldiers who performed exceedingly well in EX SAMPRITI-XI. Both the armies shared valuable combat experiences and best practices of each other and also participated in a friendly Volleyball match and a camp fire on the final day to increase the bonhomie among troops. The successful culmination of the joint training was a significant milestone in ensuring cordial relations between the two countries. Besides promoting understanding and inter-operability between the two armies, it further helped in cementing ties between both the nations.