The concluding drill of the second edition of the Africa-India Field Training Exercise (AFINDEX 2023) started Wednesday morning at the Army’s Foreign Training Node (FTN) located at Aundh Military Station in Pune. The 10-day exercise centered around Humanitarian Mine Assistance and United Nations Peacekeeping Operations.
The multinational military drill was aimed at promoting the idea of Africa-India Militaries for Regional Unity (AMRUT) and focused on incorporating the current dynamics of UN Peacekeeping Forces (UNPKF) through practical and comprehensive discussions and tactical exercises.
As many as 24 African militaries were represented by their contingents or teams of observers in the exercise.
The exercise was aimed at achieving the desired interoperability and boosting the cohesive operational ability of the troops from all participating nations, thus reducing the risk of life and property during peacekeeping operations, officials said.
Africa-India Field Training Exercise. (Express File)
The inaugural edition of the Africa-India Field Training Exercise AFINDEX was held at the FTN in March 2019. India has been one of the biggest contributors of troops to UN Peacekeeping Operations all over the world and the country’s Army is considered to be among the expert agencies in the world in mine removal operations.
Some war-torn countries in Africa face the problem of landmines and Unexploded Ordnance, often referred to as UXO. The joint exercise led to the sharing of the best practices and experience on the subject. The exercise is also a key element of India’s diplomatic ties with African countries.
On Tuesday Pune hosted the strategically significant India-Africa Army Chiefs Conclave. The conclave included talks by renowned speakers on India-Africa defence partnership, the India’s potential and contribution towards regional security.
