India, Mongolia begin 'Nomadic Elephant' military exercise

The two-week-long India-Mongolia joint military exercise, 'Nomadic Elephant', commenced on Wednesday at Umroi in Meghalaya, focusing on enhancing military capabilities for counter-insurgency operations in semi-urban and mountainous terrains.

 

Led by a Sikkim Scouts Battalion and personnel from other Indian services, the 16th edition of the exercise includes a 45-member Indian contingent.

 

The Mongolian contingent, comprising personnel from the 150 Quick Reaction Force Battalion, is also participating.

 

'Nomadic Elephant' is an annual event alternately hosted in India and Mongolia, with the previous edition held in Mongolia in July 2023.

Exercise #NomadicElephant_2024

The 16th edition of Joint Military Exercise #NomadicElephant between #IndianArmy & #MongolianArmy commenced with the opening ceremony, which was attended by Mr Dambajavyn Ganbold, Ambassador of #Mongolia to #India and Maj Gen Prasanna Joshi, GOC 51… pic.twitter.com/MemoFd2LD8

— ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) July 3, 2024

The opening ceremony saw the presence of Mongolian Ambassador to India, Dambajavyn Ganbold, and Major General Prasanna Joshi, General Officer Commanding 51 Sub Area of the Indian Army.

 

According to Defence PRO Lt Col Mahendra Rawat, the exercise aims to bolster both nations' abilities to conduct counter-insurgency operations under Chapter VII of the United Nations Mandate.

 

Focused on tactical operations in challenging terrains, the joint exercise will conclude on July 16, marking another milestone in the defence cooperation between India and Mongolia.