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Nomadic Elephant is a joint military exercise between India and Mongolia. The 14th edition of the Indo-Mongolian Joint Military Exercise (IJME-2019) was held in Bakloh from 5th to 18 October 2019. The Exercise was conducted with the participation of 14 Indian Army and three Mongolian brigades. The main objective of this exercise is to enhance interoperability and, strengthen cooperation between the two armies and enhance mutual trust through joint skills training, mutual exchange programme, humanitarian assistance, and disaster response, and reciprocal visits by military delegations. The following article further explains the important facts about Exercise Nomadic Elephant and India-Mongolia Defence Cooperation.
Objectives of The Indo-Mongolian Joint Military Exercise:
- To share military expertise and exchange ideas to deal with security challenges.
- To reinforce the growing strategic partnership between the two countries.
- To intensify defence cooperation, including regular joint drills, training, and exercises.
- To deepen the friendship between the two countries.
- To enhance mutual trust between the two countries.
Significance of Indo-Mongolian Military Exercise:
The Indo-Mongolian Joint Military Exercise-2019 has vital importance for many reasons. Firstly, India and Mongolia have become trusted security partners. Both sides have served worldwide to fight terrorism and promote peace and stability in those regions.
Secondly, both countries are willing to expand their military-to-military cooperation further. As part of this cooperation, Mongolia decided to send its troops to participate in the prestigious Adyar Cup 2019 Parade. This will be the first time that Mongolian soldiers will participate in a parade hosted by The Indian Military. Thirdly, India and Mongolia have been accused of cooperating with the United States, Russia, and China.
Both countries have declared that they are not willing to get into any conflict with any country. So, it is necessary for the two nations to be vigilant and explore new avenues of defence cooperation whenever they feel that they can benefit from it. Finally, India-Mongolia Defence Cooperation has become a key issue on both sides. During President Trump’s visit to India in May 2018, both leaders agreed on enhancing bilateral defence cooperation in various areas.
Facts About Exercise Nomadic Elephant:
In the military parlance, Exercise Nomadic Elephant-2019 is a joint counter-insurgency operation under India’s “Look East” policy.
The Indian Armed Forces have been conducting joint exercises with various countries of South Asia and the Asia Pacific, including Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Indonesia, Australia, and Myanmar. In the regional military circles, it is widely believed that holding such joint exercises with friendly neighboring countries serves as a security guarantee for India. The first edition of the IJME-2004 was held at the Mongolian Armed Forces’ Peace Support Training Centre (PSTC) in Terelj. This was followed by annual exercises in India at Bakloh in Himachal Pradesh in 2018 and 2019. During 2017 and 2018, the Indian forces participated in the Khaan Quest joint military exercise with the Mongolian Armed Forces. The aim was to increase mutual understanding between both countries that are geographically close to each other.
During the Khaan Quest 2017, both countries’ leadership defined each other’s interests and identified common national security interests. It is believed that this exercise has enhanced bilateral military cooperation and will help in developing mutual trust between both nations.
India-Mongolia Defence Cooperation:
According to the US Department of Defense’s (DoD) 2018 India-The Year in Review, the Indo-Mongolian defence relationship is a strong one.
India has helped to develop the infrastructure at Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant in Mongolia for manufacturing MI8 helicopters. In 2017, India gifted 4 MI-17 V5 helicopters to Mongolia for rescue operations during natural calamities and peacekeeping operations. This year, India also gifted a Mi-17V5 and a Chetak helicopter to Mongolia.
The Indo-Mongolian Defence Cooperation became deeper during the visit of President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to India in February 2018. This was the first-ever visit of a German Head of State to India since Chancellor Willy Brandt’s historic trip in 1979.
During the fifth India-Mongolia Joint Committee Meeting, India welcomed the participation of Mongolia in the Indian-initiated Malabar Naval Exercise, while Mongolia offered its assistance in improving water and air infrastructure at various Indian naval bases.
In December 2016, Mongolian President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj visited India and held discussions with the Indian President Pranab Mukherjee. Mongolia and India signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Military Cooperation.
In December 2017, Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi visited Mongolia. The two leaders held wide-ranging talks and reviewed the wide range of bilateral relations with a special focus on enhancing the strategic partnership between the two countries.
During India’s visit to Mongolia in 2018, Mongolia and India signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Military Cooperation, which provided for the expansion of bilateral defence cooperation and practical cooperation in various areas.
Conclusion:
India and Mongolia have deepened their defence cooperation between the two countries. With more than 200 million people, Mongolia is a significant country in Asia.For the security of the Indo-Mongolian region, it is necessary for both countries to share information and hold regular joint exercises in various areas of defence. Both nations have shown their willingness to cooperate in every possible way. Like every year, last time too, India and Mongolia shared important information about their respective countries. The Indo-Mongolian Joint Military Exercise – 2019 was held from 5th October to 18th October 2019 at Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh.
