Col Rohan Anand, SM PRO (Army)
The Fourth India China Joint Training Exercise Hand-in- Hand 2014 commenced at Pune on 17 November 2014 with an impressive opening ceremony at the Aundh Military Cantonment in Pune. The aim of the joint exercise is to acquaint both the Armies with each other’s operating procedures in the backdrop of counter terrorism environment.
Earlier on 16 November, the Chinese contingent from the 13 Group Army, Chengdu Military Region comprising of one infantry company along with supporting staff landed at the Lohegaon airfield in two IL- 76 Aircrafts directly from China. The 12 day schedule is focused upon training on crossing of obstacles, special heliborne operations, firing of various weapons, handling and neutralisation of improvised explosive devices and conduct of cordon and search operations in insurgency and terrorism environment.
An opening ceremony was held at the parade ground in Aundh Military Camp. The opening ceremony was attended by Lt General Bobby Mathews, Corps Commander of the Indian Army and Lt General Shi Xiangyuan, Deputy Commander of Chengdu Military Command of the People’s Liberation Army, besides many senior army officials of both nations. The parade was commanded by Lt Colonel Tian Jeiwen, Commanding Officer of People’s Liberation Army contingent. Both the senior military officers addressed the contingents before Lt General Shi Xiangyuan of Chinese People’s Liberation Army, declared the Joint Exercise open.
The objective of the training is enhancing confidence and trust between the two armies which may be called upon to grapple with anti terrorism operations even under the UN mandate. The conduct of Joint Military Exercises is also an important step to uphold the values of Peace, Prosperity and Stability in the region by jointly eradicating terrorism. The exercise will terminate on 25 November 2014.
The Opening Ceremony was followed by both the contingents displaying their weapons which included assault rifles, grenade launchers and other sophisticated equipment. The Ceremony concluded with an enthralling and mesmerising display of Indian martial arts of Kalyaripattu, Khukri dance and Malkhamb by soldiers of Indian Army and a massed martial arts display by the Chinese contingent.