Garuda Shakti Exercise - India-Indonesia Bilateral Exercise

The military Garuda Shakti Exercise-III involves both India and Indonesia. From February 9 to 21, 2015, it was held in Vairengte, Mizoram. The goal of the exercise was to strengthen and promote constructive military-to-military relations between the militaries of the two countries. The purpose of the exercise was to share counter-terrorism experience and undertake joint counter-insurgency training at the platoon level to eliminate the terrorist threat.

Facts About Garuda Shakti Exercise

The Garuda Shakti Exercise included the Indian Army Special Forces and Indonesian Army Special Forces.

The international military exercise involving India and Indonesia began in 2012. The 6th Garuda Shakti bilateral exercise, which occurred in Bandung, Indonesia in 2018, was the most recent session of the bilateral exercise. It took place from February 19th to March 4th, 2018.

Garuda Shakti is a counter-terrorism drill that incorporates close-quarter combat and focuses on promoting military knowledge among the two nations. This includes but is not limited to other special operations regions so the bilateral exercise between India and Indonesia aims to improve trust and collaboration between the two forces.

The Garuda Shakti Exercise was held for the fifth time in India, and the fourth time in Magelang, Indonesia. 15 agreements have been struck between the two nations.

India's Look East Policy, which went into effect in 1991, has enhanced and expanded bilateral relations between the two countries.

Garuda Shakti Exercise - Defence cooperation between India and Indonesia

In terms of India-Indonesia defence cooperation, the following points should be noted -

1. India's Look East Policy, which was implemented in 1991, has improved and developed India-Indonesia bilateral relations.

2. India's Act East Policy has a similar goal of promoting collaboration with Eastern nations.

3. As part of their defence cooperation, India and Indonesia participate in the following events regularly:

• Defence Ministers' Dialogue, held every two years
• The Joint Defence Cooperation Meetings, take place once a year.
• Staff Talks is a service level.

4. In 2018, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Indonesia and launched a new Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to advance the bilateral ties between the two countries.15 agreements/MoUs were signed between the two countries

☛ Also Download: Daily Current Affairs PDF

5. In October 2018, India's previous defence minister, Nirmala Sithraman, paid a visit to Indonesia for bilateral military talks:o The topic of conversation was the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.o The topic of enhancing defence cooperation was considered.o India and Indonesia aim to improve information exchange and conduct special training sessions as part of their defence cooperation.

6. In 2018, India and Indonesia held their 5th Joint Commission Conference (JCM) and the ASEAN-India Network of Think Tanks (AINTT) meeting.

7. In January 2018, Indonesian Defence Minister General (Retd) Ryamizard Ryacudu visited The country to participate in the India-Indonesia Biennial Defence Ministers' Dialogue.

To conclude, the Garuda Shakti Exercise was also intended to improve mutual understanding's military expertise, abilities, and procedures, so improving future interoperability and reaction to a common danger.

FAQs on Garuda Shakti Exercise

Q1. What is the objective of joint military exercises such as the Garuda Shakti Exercise?

Ans. A combined exercise with one or more nations serves as a signal to a third country of our regional clout, as well as a show of our commitment to achieving our diplomatic goals. Military exercises, like the Garuda Shakti Exercise, build fraternity and solidarity among soldiers and militaries on an intangible level.

Q2. What is the Garuda Shakthi Exercise?

Ans. Garuda Shakti Exercise is a joint exercise between India's and Indonesia's special forces. This joint military exercise is part of India and Indonesia's ongoing defence collaboration.

Q3. When and where did the Garuda Shakthi Exercise take place?

Ans. The first edition of the Garuda Shakti Exercise took place in India, in 2012, and the most recent addition took place in Bandung, Indonesia.

Q4. What events do India and Indonesia take part in regularly as a part of their Garuda Shakti Exercise defence cooperation?

Ans. The events that India and Indonesia take part in during the Garuda Shakti Exercise are -

• Defence Ministers' Dialogue, held every two years
• The Joint Defence Cooperation Meetings, take place once a year.
• Staff Talks is a service level.