For the first time, Naga soldiers of Indian Army are training with Chinese soldiers in a combined military training programme in Kunming Military Academy in Yunnan (China).
Though this is the fifth such exercise between the Asia’s two military powers since 2007, the Naga soldiers are participating for the first time. Total 175 soldiers of 2 Naga are undergoing this joint training programme called Hand-in-Hand.
The Naga soldiers were selected mainly on the basis of their performance in the Eastern Command, which was supposed to send soldiers this time for the 12-day long joint exercise from October 12 to 23. Sources said 2 Naga was the best trained team which is why it was sent.
One of the youngest regiment of India Army, warriors of Naga regiment have done fairly well during the Kargil war in 1999 and in the anti-insurgency operation in Jammu and Kashmir.
Besides understanding each other’s training habits, excerise will lay emphasis on counter terrorism and humanitarian assistance in disaster relief. It also helps normalize relationship between the two militaries that are otherwise have a long history of being adversaries.
“Hand-In-Hand aims at strengthening and broadening the interoperability and cooperation between both the armies as well as complement a number of other exchanges between the two forces,” said Ministry of Defence (MoD) official while the Army says that over the years, both countries have decided to progressively increase the scope and content of the combined training.
The exercise curriculum includes familiarisation with each others organisational structure, weapons, equipment, unarmed combat and tactical drills.