India, China Resume Joint Military Training ‘Hand-in-Hand’; Indian Army’s 11 SikhLi Participates in The Exercise

The opening ceremony for the 7th Indo-Sino joint exercise Hand-in-Hand 2018 was held on December 11, 2018 at China’s Chengdu. The military exercise is scheduled from December 10 to 23.  Company size contingents of 11 SIKHLI from Indian Army and a regiment from Tibetan Military District of People’s Liberation Army participated in the exercise. Col Puneet Pratap Singh Tomar, Commanding Officer, 11 SIKHLI, led the Indian contingent, while the Chinese contingent was led by Col Zhou Jun.

Major General Kuang Dewang, a senior representative of joint training from People’s Liberation Army (PLA), reviewed the parade. Officials from both the countries were also present at the ceremony. The exercise is being conducted after a gap of one year. It was last conducted in 2016. However, due to Doklam stand-off the exercise was suspended.

Ex #HandInHand2018, India China Joint Training Exercise commenced at #Chengdu #China with a glittering opening ceremony. The exercise aims to practice #CounterInsurgency #Operations under #UnitedNations mandate. #PLA #IndianArmy @PIB_India @SpokespersonMoD pic.twitter.com/LcfNUQwZLt

— ADG PI – INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) December 11, 2018

The exercise will consist of a balance of indoor classes and outdoor training activities. The aim of the exercise is to build and promote close relations between armies of both the countries and to enhance ability of the joint exercise commander to take military contingents of both nations under command.  The exercise will involve tactical level operations in an international counter insurgency/ counter terrorism environment under UN mandate.

Opening ceremony of Hand-in-Hand, joint military exercise:

Exercise #HandInHand is conducted as part of military diplomacy and interaction between armies of #India and #China. The joint exercise for the year 2018 is aimed at enhancing interoperability and #Synergy. pic.twitter.com/3TrljwfYDt

— ADG PI – INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) December 9, 2018

Last month, India held joint military exercises with Russia and Japan. The 10th Indo-Russian Joint Exercise, INDRA 18 was held at Babina Military Station in Uttar Pradesh. The military exercise began on November 18 and concluded on November 28. Around 250 Russian troops are participating in the 11-day exercise. The troops of the Eastern Military District were airlifted by two Ilyushin Il-76 “Candid” military transport aircraft from Vladivostok to New Delhi. Later, they were transferred to Babina Military Station.

Meanwhile, the first ever joint military exercise with Japan, ‘Dharma-Guardian 2018’ was conducted between the Indian Army and Japan Ground Self Defence Force at Counter Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School in Vairengte, Mizoram from November 1 to 14, 2018. The 6/1 Gorkha Rifles represented the Indian contingent, while the Japanese contingent was represented by 32 Infantry Regiment.