With the frequency of disaster increasing and the threat of terrorism related incidents growing, Nepal and India, which share over 1600 kilometers of border, need to learn from each other’s experiences.

With the open border between the two countries, there is the need to have more security vigilance not only from the police and paramilitary forces but also from the national armies. Realizing the need for a close cooperation, Nepal and India launched a joint military exercise, Surya Kiran, twelve years ago. The 12th edition of the exercise completed recently.

The joint military exercise, Surya Kiran, held at Nepal Army Battle School at Saljhandi, with the participation of around 350 troops from each side, focused on counter-insurgency and counter-terror operations. Started on September 3, it came to an end on September16, with the participation of high level military officers from both the countries.

According to a press release issued by Nepal Army, of a series of military training exercises undertaken with different countries, Surya Kiran is the largest in terms of troops participation.

The battalion level joint training between the two armies focused on counter terror operations in mountainous terrains by facilitating interoperability. Disaster management and joint operations for disaster relief was also a part of the exercise. Surya Kiran series of exercises are held alternately in India and Nepal.

With its growing international role, Nepal Army has been conducting the joint military exercises with various other countries as well. It conducts joint military exercise with the U.S. military annually to learn the skills to enhance the disaster management capability. Nepal Army also held a similar kind of disaster related drill last year with Chinese Army.