Question: Where did the largest ‘Multinational Field Training Exercise (FTX)’, Exercise FORCE 18 participated by 18 nations is being conducted by the Indian Army from March 2 to March 8?
(a) Pune (Maharashtra)
(b) Bengaluru (Karnataka)
(c) Guwahati (Assam)
(d) Ranchi (Jharkhand)
Ans (a)
Related facts:
- The largest ‘Multinational Field Training Exercise (FTX)’, Exercise FORCE 18 participated by 18nations is being conducted by the Indian Army from March 2 to March 8 at Aundh Military Station, Southern Command, Pune.
- It includes nine countries out of ten member countries of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN)- Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam.
- It should be noted that Myanmar was compelled to back out owing to elections and security issues pertaining to border infiltration.
- It is also joined by eight observer nations that include India, Japan, Korea, China, Russia, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand.
- The theme of the Exercise is ‘Humanitarian Mine Action’ and ‘Peacekeeping Operations’.
- An Indian Army contingent of 40 soldiers who is being led by Lt Col Sophia Qureshi, a Woman Officer from the Corps of Signals participated in the exercise.
- With this now she holds the rare distinction of becoming the first woman officer to lead an Indian Army training contingent in such a multinational exercise.
- His Multinational Field Training Exercise was conducted by India under its ambitious look east policy which will helps in maintaining geopolitical balance.
Reference:
http://www.financialexpress.com/article/economy/asean-plus-nations-to-take-part-in-military-exercise-in-india/217246/
http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=137194http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/aseanplus-military-drill-begins-in-pune/article8310954.ece