BIMSTEC joint military exercise begins in Pune

Contingents from Armies of five of seven BIMSTEC countries began the weeklong military exercise at the Foreign Training Node at Aundh in Pune on Monday. The remaining two countries, Thailand and Nepal, have sent teams of observors for the exercise, focus of which is counter terrorism operations in semi-urban environment. (Express Photo By Pavan Khengre)

This the first time that India is hosting the BIMSTEC military exercise. The field training exercise will be conducted between September 10 and 16 at the Foreign Training Node at Aundh in Pune. (Express Photo By Pavan Khengre)

Armies of India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand and Nepal were to participate in it. (Express Photo By Pavan Khengre)

However, on Sunday, a senior official in the Nepal Army said the country would not be sending its army for the military exercise. The instruction, the official said, came after an oral instruction from PM KP Sharma Oli. Nepal sent only a team of observors for the exercise on Monday. (Express Photo By Pavan Khengre)

Major Gen. Sanjeev Sharma addressing the gathering of forces from BIMSTEC nations on Monday. (Express Photo By Pavan Khengre)