US ambassador meets Eastern Army commander in Kolkata

KOLKATA: US Ambassador Kenneth I Juster called on Lt Gen Anil Chauhan, GOC-in-C, Eastern Command, at Fort William in Kolkata on Monday. The two held meaningful discussions on various important regional and global security-related issues concerning both countries. According to a source, the meeting was aimed to further strengthen defence cooperation between the two nations to fight unitedly in the global war against terror.
“The Ambassador’s visit to the Army’s Eastern Command signifies the growing strategic partnership between the two leading Armies of the world who are also important partners in bilateral training and various forums for Indo-US Defence engagements,” an officer said.
Meanwhile, a contingent of the Royal Thailand Army (RTA) is at the Foreign Training Node (FTN) at Umroi in Meghalaya to participate in the annual bilateral exercise with the Indian Army. Exercise MAITREE-2019 commenced on Monday and will continue for two weeks. The aim of the exercise is joint training of troops in counter terrorism operations both in jungle terrain and urban scenario. The MAITREE series of exercises signifies the long standing bilateral ties between India and Thailand since 2006.
“The 14-day exercise will be conducted under the framework of United Nations mandate. Both contingents will share their valuable experiences in the conduct of counter terrorism operations in from of lectures, drills, demonstrations and skill-at-arms with an aim to refine tactics, techniques and procedures. The exercise will culminate with a 48-hour-joint exercise that will showcase the planning and execution of joint skills of soldiers while conducting any counter-terrorism operation,” another officer said.