Exercise Force-18, the largest ground forces multinational field training exercise on ‘Humanitarian Mine Action and Peacekeeping Operations’, culminated in Pune in the presence of the Chief of Army Staff, General Dalbir Singh. The week-long exercise witnessed participation of over 300 foreign participants and observers from ASEAN Plus countries.

In his closing comment General Dalbir Singh said: “This exercise in India is a watershed event in the history of ASEAN Defence Ministers meeting (ADMM). It has showcased perfect harmony amongst the ASEAN Plus Nations in the field of Humanitarian Mine Action and Peace Keeping Operations.

“The activities conceived and planned under the ADMM Plus umbrella are of strategic importance to all of us. They further the all encompassing aim for the peace, stability and development of the region. The forum provides an equal and beneficial playground for all the participants, harmonising relations, building capacities and facilitating meaningful interaction among the regional players.

“Peacekeeping with multiple troop contributing countries and multidimensional mandates in dynamic and complex environment is a challenging task. It demands more intrusive consultative process for developing credible and legitimate response mechanisms.”

Senior dignitaries from the participating countries including Deputy Chief of General Staff Vietnam Army, Senior Lt General Vo Van Tuan also attended the closing ceremony. The event was then followed by speech by co-chairs from Vietnam, South Korea and India.