Joint military drills like 'Nomadic Elephant', 'Khaan Quest' mark major milestone in India's defence diplomacy: MoD
India-Mongolia bilateral military exercise 'Nomadic Elephant' and upcoming multinational exercise 'Khaan Quest', scheduled to be held in Mongolia mark a major milestone in India's "expanding defence diplomacy" and underscore the strategic importance of its partnership with the country, the defence ministry said on Friday.
The 17th edition of Exercise Nomadic Elephant concluded on Friday at Ulaanbaatar while Exercise Khaan Quest, which will will together military forces from around the world to collaborate and enhance their peacekeeping capabilities, will begin on Saturday.
Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh along with Lt Gen Pushpendra Singh, Director General Operational Logistics and Strategic Movement, attended the closing ceremony of exercise 'Nomadic Elephant'.
The conduct of exercises Nomadic Elephant and Khaan Quest marks a significant milestone in India's expanding defence diplomacy and underscores the strategic importance of its partnership with Mongolia," the defence ministry said in a statement.
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The Indian Army contingent, comprising 45 personnel predominantly from a battalion of the Arunachal Scouts, actively participated in the two-week-long Exercise 'Nomadic Elephant' in Ulaanbaatar.
"The focus of the joint training was to enhance interoperability between the Indian Army and the Mongolian Armed Forces while operating as a combined task force in semi-conventional scenarios in semi-urban and mountainous terrain under United Nations mandate," it said.
Defence Secretary Singh commended the professionalism, dedication and conduct of the Indian soldiers during the exercise.
He said this exercise is a "testament to the enduring bond of friendship, mutual trust and shared cultural linkages between India and Mongolia".
It served as a platform for meaningful military cooperation and demonstrates India's unwavering commitment to regional peace and stability, Singh was quoted as saying in the statement.
Indian Army's contribution to such joint initiatives not only "enhances operational readiness but also reinforces India's role as a responsible stakeholder in global peacekeeping efforts," he observed.
Defence