Army contingent departs for Russia to participate in counter-terrorism meet

An Indian Army contingent, comprising 32 soldiers representing the 14 Rajputana Rifles, departed for Russia to participate in the ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting Plus Expert Working Group on Counter Terrorism, the Ministry of Defence said in a statement.

The Counter Terrorism Field Training Exercise (FTX) 2023 will be conducted from September 25-30.

“Indian Army Contingent consisting of 32 personnel from a Battalion affiliated to the RAJPUTANA RIFLES departed for ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting (ADMM) Plus Expert Working Group (EWG) on Counter Terrorism Field Training Exercise (FTX) 2023 scheduled to be conducted from 25th to 30th September 2023 in Russia,” the Ministry of Defence stated in a press release.A multinational joint military exercise being hosted by Russia as a co-chair of the EWG along with Myanmar, the meeting was preceded by the Table Top Exercise of the ADMM Plus EWG on Counter-Terrorism at Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar from August 2-4.

Since 2017, the ADMM Plus meets annually to allow dialogue and cooperation among the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Plus countries. The inaugural ADMM Plus was convened in Ha Noi, Vietnam on October 12, 2010.

This year ASEAN member states, along with the Plus Group, will be participating in the exercise, the Ministry stated.The exercise will comprise a number of counter-terrorism drills, including the destruction of terrorist groups in a fortified area. The main objective of the exercise is strengthening and promoting regional cooperation in the field of counter-terrorism.ADMM Plus EWG on Counter-terrorism 2023 will provide the Indian Army with a platform to share their expertise and best practices in counter-terrorism operations besides increasing cooperation between the other 12 participating countries.

The Indian Army is looking forward to an enriching professional experience from the exercise, the Ministry added in the release.