14 days of exercise ‘Shakti’ ends; fosters strategic ties

SHILLONG, May 26: The 7th installment of the India-France joint military exercise ‘Shakti’ concluded on Sunday at the Joint Training Node in Umroi, Ri-Bhoi, marking the end of 14 days of rigorous joint training. This exercise showcased the combat power and dominance of both nations while focusing on multi-domain operations in sub-conventional scenarios.
The exercise, held under the United Nations Charter, offered both armed forces an invaluable opportunity to train together in sub-conventional operations. It was conducted in two phases — the first phase involved combat conditioning and tactical training, while the second phase was a 48-hour validation of the training received.
Throughout the exercise, the Indian and French armed forces displayed exemplary professional conduct, tactical expertise, and military discipline, which was highly commended by attending dignitaries. The event culminated in a grand closing ceremony where both nations shared their cultural traditions, furthering mutual understanding and respect.
The French Ambassador attended the opening ceremony on May 13 and underscored the importance of the exercise, noting the exceptional relationship between France and India. He highlighted that the two countries celebrated the 25th anniversary of their strategic partnership last year. The Ambassador described the partnership as universal, encompassing cooperation from the deep ocean to outer space, with defense and security being a major component.
Both nations expressed immense satisfaction with the standards achieved during the exercise, underscoring its significance as a milestone in strengthening the traditional bond of friendship between India and France. The exercise reinforced their commitment to a peaceful world and further solidified their strategic partnership.