Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level : Exercise SHAKTI
Mains level : India-France strategic relations
What is the news: As part of Exercise SHAKTI – 2019, French Army troops have arrived in India.
Exercise SHAKTI
- Series of ‘Exercise SHAKTI’ between India and France commenced in year 2011.
- Its a biennial exercise and is conducted alternately in India and France.
- The exercise will focus on Counter Terrorism operations in backdrop of semi-desert terrain under United Nations Mandate.
- The training will focus primarily on high degree of physical fitness, sharing of the drill at tactical level and learning of best practices from each other.
- The exercise aims at enhancing understanding, cooperation and interoperability between the two Armies.
- The exercise will culminate in a 36 hrs long validation exercise which will involve neutralization of terrorists in a village hideout.