The eighth India-Nepal combined exercise (Surya Kiran VIII) which commenced on February 23 concluded on March 7 at Salijhandi, Nepal. The exercise was conducted under the aegis of Nepalese Army.

The exercise aimed to create a greater understanding between Indian and Nepalese Army and develop interoperability in jungle warfare and counter-terrorism operations in mountainous terrain. It also focused on the basics of disaster management with special reference to pandemic/epidemic control and aviation aspects. Over the years, the two countries have decided to progressively increase the scope and content of the combined exercise.

The training culminated in a 48-hour consolidation and validation exercise in which troops of both countries carried out a search and destroy mission in the general area of Saljhandi. The final exercise was reviewed by Major General Padamvillas Karki of Nepalese Army and Major General Vinod Prakash Singh Bhakuni of Indian Army.

The closing ceremony was conducted on March 7, 2015. While addressing both contingents, Major General Bhakuni said that the goodwill generated during this training will go a long way in further strengthening the military bond between the two armies and also in understanding each other’s organisational concepts and methodology of conducting counter-terrorism operations as well as sharing knowledge and experience on the issues of disaster management.