Africa-India military exercise AFINDEX-23 begins in Pune

Tags: Defence

India and 23 African nations on 21 March began a nine-day mega military exercise Africa-India Field Training Exercise (AFINDEX) in Pune.

An overview of the news

• The aim of the exercise is to expand the participant's overall military cooperation.

• Several new generation equipment made in India are being used in the exercise to give a feel of India's efficacy to the soldiers of the participating countries.

• Keeping in view India's outreach to Africa, joint exercises have been hosted by the Indian Army.

• The theme of the exercise is “humanitarian mine action and peacekeeping operations,”.

• Army Chief General Manoj Pandey will also host the 'India-Africa Chiefs' Conference' on March 28, a day before the military exercise ends.

Objectives of the exercise

• The objectives of the exercise are to continue to build upon the initiatives taken to strengthen India-Africa relations, with a focus on enhancing peace and security.

• This joint exercise will bring out the practical aspects of theme-based training.

Participating African Countries

• Botswana, Cameroon, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Seychelles, Senegal, Sudan, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.