A ten-day multinational military exercise called Shantir Ogrosena (Vanguards of Peace) - involving four South Asian nations - aimed at  strengthening defence ties and enhance interoperability amongst neighbourhood countries, ended on Monday at Bangabandhu Senanibas (BBS) in Bangladesh. Troops from Bangladesh, India, Bhutan and Sri Lanka participated in the unique exercise that began on April 4.

Observers from the USA, UK, Russia, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Singapore were present.

“The aim of the exercise was to strengthen defence ties and enhance interoperability amongst neighbourhood countries to ensure effective peacekeeping operations. The armies of all participating nations shared their wide experiences and enhanced their situational awareness through robust information exchange platforms,” the release said.

The exercise culminated with a validation phase and closing ceremony organised on the theme of robust peacekeeping Operations jointly undertaken by contingents of Indian Army, Royal Bhutanese Army, Sri Lankan Army and Bangladesh Army, preceded by an army chiefs’ conclave.

(SAM)