The India – Uzbekistan joint military exercise DUSTLIK II commenced today in Foreign Training Node Chaubatia, Ranikhet (Uttarakhand). This is the Second Edition of annual bilateral joint exercise of both armies. It will continue till 19th March 2021.
45 Soldiers each from Uzbekistan and Indian Army are participating in the exercise. The Indo-Uzbek Joint Exercise Dustlik-ll is focused on counter terrorist operations and enhancing military cooperation. The Indian Army is represented by the Rezang La Battalion and Kharga Warriors. The Uzbekistan Army contingent arrived in the first week of March. The exercise will culminate into a 36 hour joint validation exercise scheduled from 17 to 18 March 21.
The first India-Uzbekistan joint military exercise – Dustlik-2019 was held in Chirchiq Training Area near Tashkent in November 2019. Also called Joint Field Training Exercise (FTX) – 2019, the training was held for 10 days. In 2019, India and Uzbekistan signed three Memoranda of Understanding in the fields of Military Medicine and Military Education.
In addition to exercise DUSTLIK II, the Special Forces Training School of the Indian Army has commenced training of Turkmenistan Special Forces.