India, Indonesia to hold maiden combat drill

NEW DELHI: As part of their expanding bilateral strategic ties, India and Indonesia are all set to launch their first-ever joint combat exercise later in February after holding their first army-to-army staff talks in last April.

Crack troops from the two armies will hold the counter-terror exercise at the Indian Army's specialized counter-insurgency and jungle warfare school at Variengte in Mizoram from February 20 to March 4.

"The exercise will also witness top military observers from Indonesia. We are boosting military ties with Indonesia, a key state in south-east Asia, as part of the overall strategic partnership. We had also hosted their president as the chief guest during our Republic Day celebrations last year," said an official.