Article Posted on : - Jan 04, 2013

NEW DELHI (PTI): Elite Special Forces of India and Bangladesh will hold joint exercise in Agra starting January-end as part of efforts to deepen military ties and cooperation in counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations.

Under the exercises codenamed 'Operation Sampriti', Special Forces of India and Bangladesh will engage in two-week exercise in Agra starting in the last week of January till first week of February, Army officials said.

The first phase of 'Op Sampriti' was held at Jorhat in Assam from November 1-4, 2010 while the second edition was held at Sylhet, Bangladesh in 2011.

Under the joint exercises, the two sides would practice counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations under the UN mandate.

Military ties between the two countries received a boost recently when Indian Army Chief Gen. Bikram Singh visited Dhaka in October this year.

India and Bangladesh share a long standing cooperation in the area of defence. While India trains its Gentlemen Cadets, the two countries have also organised joint training and exercises in the last few years.