An Indian Army contingent, as in the past, comprising 170 personnel will participate in a joint training exercise SAMPRITI-8 in Bangladesh from March 2-15.

The Indian Army contingent will arrive at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Friday in Indian Air Force special aircraft IL-76, reports the UNB.

This is the 8th edition of the joint training exercise which will be conducted at Bangabandhu Senanibas (BBS) in Tangail, according to Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka.

The exercise is aimed to strengthen and broaden the aspects of interoperability and cooperation between Bangladesh and Indian Army and enrich from each other’s experience while carrying out counter insurgency or counter terrorism operations. 

For the first time in the history of ‘Exercise SAMPRITI’ series, both the Armies will undertake exercise related to relief/response operations related to natural disasters- earthquake, flood etc.      

The joint exercise was first held in Assam, India in 2011 and since then both the countries have been hosting the exercise alternatively. 

Last year, the training exercise was conducted at Counter Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School, Vairengte in Mizoram.

After completion of the exercise, the Indian Army contingent will depart to India on March 16 from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in an Indian Air Force special IL-76 aircraft.

The holding of such joint exercises is symbolic of the strong defence cooperation between the two countries.