The 19th edition of the India-Nepal joint military exercise, SURYAKIRAN-XIX, recently concluded.The exercise was held at the Foreign Training Node in Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand. The event culminated in a validation phase witnessed by the Directors-General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of both nations.
Why is this Exercise Significant?
- Interoperability: It enhanced the seamless interoperability and coordination between the two armies at battalion and company levels.
- Regional Security: The drill underscored the importance of shared security and humanitarian preparedness in the Himalayan region.
- Diplomatic Gesture: As a symbol of enduring partnership, the DGMOs jointly planted a “Tree of Friendship,” reaffirming the strategic cooperation between New Delhi and Kathmandu.
Major Military Exercises of India (2025)
| Exercise Name | Partner Country | Service | Focus / Domain |
| Austra Hind | Australia | Army | Multi-domain operations; Peacekeeping |
| AUSTRAINDEX | Australia | Navy | Maritime security & interoperability |
| Sampriti | Bangladesh | Army | Counter-terrorism; Disaster management |
| Bongosagar | Bangladesh | Navy | Maritime patrolling; Interoperability |
| Hand-in-Hand | China | Army | Counter-terrorism (Currently suspended) |
| Cyclone | Egypt | Army | Desert warfare; Special Forces ops |
| Shakti | France | Army | Counter-terrorism in semi-urban terrain |
| Varuna | France | Navy | High-end naval warfare; Subsurface combat |
| Garuda | France | Air Force | Air defence; Interoperability |
| Garuda Shakti | Indonesia | Army | Counter-insurgency; Jungle warfare |
| Samudra Shakti | Indonesia | Navy | Maritime security |
| Dharma Guardian | Japan | Army | Jungle warfare; Urban counter-terrorism |
| JIMEX | Japan | Navy | Naval warfare; Maritime security |
| Veer Guardian | Japan | Air Force | Air combat manoeuvring |
| Kazind | Kazakhstan | Army | Counter-terrorism in mountainous terrain |
| Khanjar | Kyrgyzstan | Army | High-altitude warfare; Special Forces |
| Harimau Shakti | Malaysia | Army | Jungle warfare planning & execution |
| Ekuverin | Maldives | Army | Amphibious ops; Counter-terrorism |
| Ekatha | Maldives | Navy | Diving & Special Operations |
| Nomadic Elephant | Mongolia | Army | Counter-terrorism; Peacekeeping |
| Imbax | Myanmar | Army | Peacekeeping operations |
| Suryakiran | Nepal | Army | Mountain warfare; HADR; Counter-terror |
| Al Najah | Oman | Army | Counter-terrorism |
| Naseem-Al-Bahr | Oman | Navy | Naval cooperation |
| Eastern Bridge | Oman | Air Force | Air operations interoperability |
| Indra | Russia | Tri-Service | Joint operations across land, sea, air |
| Avia Indra | Russia | Air Force | Anti-terror air operations |
| Lamitiye | Seychelles | Army | Semi-urban warfare; Security ops |
| Agni Warrior | Singapore | Army | Artillery firepower & technology |
| Bold Kurukshetra | Singapore | Army | Mechanized warfare |
| SIMBEX | Singapore | Navy | Maritime combat; Anti-submarine warfare |
| Mitra Shakti | Sri Lanka | Army | Counter-insurgency; Terrorism |
| SLINEX | Sri Lanka | Navy | Naval maneuvers; Surveillance |
| Maitree | Thailand | Army | Jungle warfare; Counter-terrorism |
| Siam Bharat | Thailand | Air Force | Humanitarian assistance; Air ops |
| Zayed Talwar | UAE | Navy | Maritime security; Interoperability |
| Desert Flag | UAE | Air Force | Large force employment warfare |
| Ajeya Warrior | United Kingdom | Army | Counter-terrorism; Urban warfare |
| Konkan | United Kingdom | Navy | Maritime interdiction; Air defence |
| Indradhanush | United Kingdom | Air Force | Air defence operations |
| Yudh Abhyas | USA | Army | High-altitude; Cold weather ops |
| Vajra Prahar | USA | Army (SF) | Special Forces; Counter-terrorism |
| Tiger Triumph | USA | Tri-Service | HADR (Humanitarian Assistance) |
| Cope India | USA | Air Force | Air combat tactics; Mobility |
| Dustlik | Uzbekistan | Army | Counter-terrorism in urban terrain |
| VINBAX | Vietnam | Army | UN Peacekeeping operations |
