India-Kyrgyzstan Joint Special Forces Exercise KHANJAR Begins in Bakloh

India-Kyrgyzstan's 11th joint special forces exercise 'Khanjar' has commenced at Special Forces Training School, Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh. Exercise ‘Khanjar’ will be conducted from 22 January to 3 February 2024.

• Exercise ‘Khanjar’ is an annual event conducted alternately in both countries. This year this exercise is being organized in India. Whereas last year this exercise was organized in Kyrgyzstan.

Representation of Practice:

The Indian Army contingent of 20 personnel is being represented by soldiers of the Parachute Regiment (Special Forces). While the Kyrgyzstan contingent is being represented by the Scorpion Brigade with 20 personnel.

Objective of organizing exercise ‘Khanjar’:

• Aim: Share anti-terrorism and special forces expertise in mountainous terrain.
• This exercise is organized under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter.
• The exercise emphasizes on developing special forces skills, advanced insertion and extraction techniques.

Benefits of conducting this exercise:

• This exercise will provide an opportunity for both sides to strengthen defence ties while addressing the common problems of international terrorism and extremism.
• This exercise will provide an opportunity to achieve common security objectives.
• Apart from boosting bilateral relations, this will also provide an opportunity to showcase the capabilities of state-of-the-art indigenous defense equipment.

About ‘Khanjar’ exercise:

• This exercise has been organized between the two countries since 2011. This two-week long 'Khanjar' military exercise mainly focuses on high altitude and hilly areas and terrorism and extremism.
• In year 2018, India and Kyrgyzstan signed four agreements. One of these was related to promoting defence cooperation and conducting annual joint military exercises.

About Kyrgyzstan:

• It is a Central Asian country. Kyrgyzstan has a predominantly Muslim and Christian population.
• It is bordered by Kazakhstan to the northwest and north. China is in the southeast and Tajikistan is in the south-west. It shares its western border with Uzbekistan.
• Kyrgyzstan came into existence as an independent nation in the year 1991. Since then India and Kyrgyzstan have maintained cordial bilateral relations.
• India was the first country to establish diplomatic relations with Kyrgyzstan in 1992.
• The capital of Kyrgyzstan is Bishkek.
• Currency of Kyrgyzstan: Kyrgyzstani Som.
• Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan: Akylbek Japarov