Hand-in-Hand Exercise 2018 Culminates; Indian Army Troops Return to India

Troops of the Indian army returned to India after successful completion of seventh edition of Hand-in-Hand exercise with China at Chengdu. Yesterday, the joint military drill culminated on a high note with troops of the Indian Army and People’s Liberation Army (PLA) displaying synergy of actions and achieving interoperability. Dignitaries from both the nations witnessed the closing ceremony. Before culmination of the exercise, both Indian and Chinese troops carried out Reflex shooting practices to enhance interoperability during counter terrorist operations.

Ex #HandInHand2018 Troops of #IndianArmy returned back after successfully completing Joint Training with #PLA. They indeed have rich experience and fond memories. #Synergy #Interoperability #UnitedNations pic.twitter.com/PqUdr3ECrD

— ADG PI – INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) December 23, 2018

The opening ceremony of the joint military drill was held on December 11. The military exercise was 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. Hand-in-Hand Exercise 2018: Indian Army Troops Perform Bhangra During Joint Military Drill; Watch Video.

Ex #HandInHand2018. The Joint Training culminated on a high note with troops of #IndianArmy and #PLA displaying #Synergy of actions and achieving #Interoperability. Dignitaries from both sides witnessed the closing ceremony. #UnitedNations pic.twitter.com/TXu72PaxTC

— ADG PI – INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) December 22, 2018

The exercise consisted of a balance of indoor classes and outdoor training activities. The aim of the exercise was to build and promote close relations between armies of both the countries. The exercise also involved tactical level operations in an international counter insurgency/ counter terrorism environment under UN mandate. The seventh edition of the exercise was conducted after a gap of one year. The last edition of ‘Hand-in-Hand’ took place in 2016. The drill was not held in 2017 due to the Doklam stand-off in Bhutan between Indian and Chinese troops.