Prabal Dostyk Army Exercise Between Kazakhstan and India

Prabal Dostyk is a joint military exercise between India and Kazakhstan. It was held at Chelyabinsk and Saryshagan. Though it started in 2016, it has been conducted regularly since then. According to India’s Ministry of Defence, the exercise is a unique tri-service training that focuses on counter-terrorism operations in mountainous terrain, in a short duration and at a high altitude (up to 4000 m), with special emphasis on promoting interoperability between the armies of India and Kazakhstan. The article gives the answer to questions like “What is the  Prabal dostyk army exercise?” and “What is an Indo-Kazakhstan joint exercise?”

What is Prabal Dostyk Army Exercise?

Prabal Dostyk is a 14 day joint MILITARY EXERCISE between India and Kazakhstan. It means two or more countries are participating in the war game. The exercise was held at Chelyabinsk (Russia) and Saryshagan (Kazakhstan). It started in 2016, but it has been conducted regularly since then. This exercise was first held in 2016 by the Indian Army with units of the Kazakhstan Army on Counter-terrorism operations at a high altitude.

The second edition of this exercise was held in 2017 in Madhya Pradesh, India.

What is an Indo-Kazakhstan Joint Exercise?

The Indian Armed Forces still continue with the cooperation program with the Kazakhstan Army, which was started in 2010. The Indian and Kazakh Armies have been conducting frequent training exercises since the year 2010. In 2011, the two armies held a bilateral exercise of short duration (about 10 days) at Saryshahan, Kazakhstan. The Indian Army has participated in the annual Kazakh State Defence exams for three consecutive years, which are conducted in Kazakhstan.

The Indian Army and the Kazakh Armed Forces conduct joint exercises to strengthen further their friendship and cooperation over a wide range of military subjects, including counter-terrorism operations at a high altitude (up to 4000 m). 

Objectives of the Exercise:

• To strengthen the mutual trust and cooperation between the armies of both countries.
• To share experience in counter-insurgency operations under extreme weather conditions. 
• To train effectively, to operate in high-altitude regions.

The army is strengthening its link with Central Asian Countries, especially with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. On 9 October 2017, India and Kazakhstan signed an agreement for the “long-term presence of Indian military personnel in Kazakhstan for further training of Kazakh officers” (Indian military participation at Shymkent Military School).

Aim of the Exercises:

Indo-Kazakhstan joint exercises are aimed at strengthening mutual trust between the armies of both countries. 

Indo-Kazakhstan joint exercises are aimed at strengthening mutual trust between the armies of both countries. Their goal is to share experience in counter-insurgency operations under extreme weather conditions, as well as to train effectively in high-altitude regions.

Participants

The army is strengthening its link with Central Asian Countries, especially with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. In 2016, India and Kazakhstan signed an agreement for a “long-term presence of Indian military personnel in Kazakhstan for further training of Kazakh officers” (Indian military participation at Shymkent Military School). 

The aim of the agreement is to provide training to Kazakhstan’s armed forces officers on military subjects such as jungle warfare, counter-terrorism operations, and artillery.

The Indian Army and the Kazakh Armed Forces conduct joint exercises to strengthen further their friendship and cooperation over a wide range of military subjects, including counter-terrorism operations at a high altitude (up to 4000 m).

Benefits of the Exercise to India:

The exercise is aimed at strengthening mutual trust between the armies of both countries. Their goal is to share experience in counter-insurgency operations under extreme weather conditions, as well as to train effectively in high-altitude regions.

Benefits of the Exercise to Kazakhstan:

India has been training a large number of Kazakh officers and troops at Shymkent Military School (Kazakhstan). This training is helping Kazakhstan improve its army and navy. It also helps build friendly ties between India and Kazakhstan. 

India and Central Asia Defence and Security Cooperation

Central Asia Defence and Security Cooperation is a biennial training event conducted by the Indian Army and the armies of Central Asian Republics (CAR) since 2010. The exercise is aimed at strengthening mutual trust between the armies of both countries.

Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale said that India was keen to play an even bigger role in regional cooperation and will take this initiative forward through deeper engagement with the CARs. 

Central Asia Defence and Security Cooperation (CA DSC) is a biennial military exercise conducted by India’s Ministry of Defence with the Armies of Central Asian Republics, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.

Conclusion

The friendship and cooperation between the two countries are in the interest of both countries. India needs to strengthen its link with Central Asian Countries, especially Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. The Indo-Kazakhstan joint exercises are aimed at strengthening mutual trust between the armies of both countries. Their goal is to share experience in counter-insurgency operations under extreme weather conditions, as well as to train effectively in high-altitude regions. The article concluded with the explanation of “what is the Prabal Dostyk army exercise?” and “what is the Indo-Kazakhstan joint exercise?”