India, Uzbekistan hold 4th Joint Military Exercise- ‘Dustlik’

Tags: Defence National News

As part of the military-to-military exchange program between the Indian Army and the Uzbekistan Army, the fourth edition of the training exercise Dastlik (2023) began on 20 February.

An overview of the news

• The exercise will be held at Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand till March 5, 2023.

• 45-45 soldiers from both countries will participate in the exercise.

• The Indian contingent in this bilateral exercise will be represented by the 14th Battalion The Garhwal Rifles, which is part of the Western Command.

• The Uzbekistan Army will be represented by troops from the North Western Military District of the Uzbekistan Army.

• Its purpose is to give impetus to the ever-growing military and diplomatic relations between the two countries.

• This exercise shows the strong resolve of both the countries to combat terrorism.

Previous Exercises- ‘Dustlik’

• The first edition of this exercise was conducted in November 2019 in Uzbekistan.

• The second edition was held in India in 2021 from 10 to 19 March at Chaubatia, Ranikhet.

• The third edition of the exercise was conducted from March 22 to 29 in 2022 in Yangiyarik district of Uzbekistan.

Significance

• Keeping in mind the Belt and Road Initiative of China, this exercise is very important.

• Both the armies share counter-terrorist operations in mountain/rural/urban scenarios under the UN mandate.

• Military diplomacy to connect with Central Asia.