Exercise Shantir Ogrosena-2021, a 10-day long multinational military exercise, culminated today at the Bangabandhu Senanibas (BBS) with General MM Naravane, Chief of the Indian Army, witnessing the validation phase of the exercise and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina being the Chief Guest of the ceremony.

Troops from four countries participated in this exercise with observers from the USA, UK, Russia, Turkey, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Singapore.

The aim of the exercise was to strengthen defence ties and enhance interoperability amongst neighbourhood countries to ensure effective peacekeeping operations. The armies of all participating nations shared their wide experiences and enhanced their situational awareness through robust information exchange platforms.

The exercise culminated with a validation phase and closing ceremony organised on the theme of Robust Peacekeeping Operations jointly undertaken by contingents of Indian Army, Royal Bhutanese Army, Sri Lankan Army and Bangladesh Army, preceded by an Army Chiefs Conclave.

General Naravane also attended the Army Chiefs' Conclave conducted on the sidelines of multinational exercise at the Army Multipurpose Complex and delivered a keynote address on 'Changing Nature of Global Conflicts: Role of UN Peacekeepers' on Sunday. He also interacted with the senior officers of the participating nations and military observers from other countries.

The visit of the COAS came in the midst of Swarnim Vijay Varsh celebrations which mark 50 years of the liberation of Bangladesh, made possible by the historic leadership of the Bongobondhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and heroics of the Mukti Bahini who fought shoulder to shoulder with Indian armed forces.

The contingents displayed highest standards of professionalism during the exercise and also displayed their skills in volleyball, firing and cultural activities.