Why is in news? India, Uzbekistan to hold 4th Joint Military Exercise- ‘Dustlik’ from February 20 in Uttarakhand
As part of a military-to-military exchange program between the Indian Army and Uzbekistan Army, the fourth edition of biennial training Exercise DUSTLIK (2023) will be conducted from 20th Feb till 5th March, 2023 in Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand.
The exercise would focus on Counter Terrorism operations in semi-urban terrain under a United Nations Mandate.
The Indian contingent will be represented by the 14th Battalion, The GARHWAL RIFLES, part of Western Command in this bilateral exercise.
The Uzbekistan Army will be represented by troops of the North Western Military District of Uzbekistan Army.
This joint exercise is aimed at enhancing military capability to undertake multi-domain operations in a Sub Conventional scenario under United Nations Mandate.
Uzbekistan is important to India for security and connectivity to the Central Asian Region and also Iran, it is also one alternative India has with respect to Afghanistan.
Security concerns stemming from the conflict in Afghanistan is one of the major challenges for India’s involvement in Central Asia.
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