The 16th chapter of the India-Nepal Joint Military Exercise ‘Surya Kiran’ commenced on Friday at the Saljhandi-based Nepal Army Battle School.

The programme was inaugurated by the Vice President of Shri Madhya Paschim Pritana Headquarters Yam Prasad Dhakal.

During the two-week exercise, 334 military personnel each from the Nepal Army and the Indian Army, will be training together to enhance interoperability and share experience on Counter Insurgency and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief operations.

Major General Bimal Kumar Wagle will lead the Nepal Army while Colonel Himanshu Bahuguna will lead the Indian Army.

The neighbouring countries have alternatively hosted fifteen joint exercises since its initiation in 2010.

Both parties believe that the joint exercise will improve the bilateral relations and mutual cooperation between the armies, further strengthening the unique, traditional and time-tested friendship.