Article Posted on : - Nov 10, 2015

Indian and Russian army personnel during the inauguration of Indo - Russian joint training exercise INDRA - 2015 in Pokhran, Rajasthan on Sunday. A PTI Photo.

BIKANER (PTI): The seventh Indo-Russian joint training exercise INDRA-2015 commenced on Monday at Mahajan field firing range here.

The two contingents presented a parade before the senior officers in the ceremony with unfurling of the National Flags of both the countries.

The Russian contingent from an Independent Motorised Brigade comprising 250 Military personnel along with supporting staff landed at Bikaner directly from Russia on November 7, according to defence spokesperson Lt Col Manish Ojha.

The 14-day training schedule is focused on training on 'Counter Terrorism Operations in the backdrop of Desert terrain under a United Nations Mandate'.

The opening ceremony was held at Mahajan Field Firing Ranges where Major General PC Thimmaya, General Officer Commanding-Red Eagle Division welcomed the Russian contingent and urged both contingents to strive to understand each others' battle drills and procedures so as to achieve optimum cohesion and enhanced inter operability between the two forces, the spokesperson said in a release.

"He stressed upon the importance of free exchange in ideas, discussion of concepts and assimilation of best practices between the troops of the two nations. Enhancing mutual confidence and inter operability between the two armies would be a priority," he stated.

Cultural programmes were also held at the ceremony.

The exercise is scheduled to finally terminate on November 20.