Shakti Exercise 2024 - Facts about Exercise Shakti for UPSC

Shakti Exercise is a bilateral exercise between the armies of India and France. It is a biennial exercise that takes place between Indian and French armies, alternately in the two countries. The latest edition of the Shakti Exercise took place in Meghalaya in 2024. It is an important joint military exercise between India and another nation and makes an important topic for the IAS Exam. This article will provide you with details on the Shakti Exercise for UPSC preparation.

Candidates can also refer to other important Bilateral Army Exercises between India and other nations from the links mentioned in the table below:

Exercise Shakti 2024

The 7th edition of India – France Joint Military Exercise SHAKTI commenced at Umroi, Meghalaya.

• The Exercise is scheduled to be conducted from 13th to 26th May 2024.
• An Indian contingent comprising 90 personnel is represented primarily by a Battalion of the Rajput Regiment besides personnel from other arms and services.
• Observers from the Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force will also form part of the exercise.
• The joint exercise will focus on operations in the semi-urban and mountainous terrain.  Objectives to be achieved from the joint training are a high degree of physical fitness, rehearsing and refining drills for operations at the tactical level and sharing of best practices.
• Significance: The joint exercise will facilitate the development of inter-operability, bonhomie and camaraderie between armed forces personnel of the two countries. This will also enhance the level of defence cooperation, further fostering bilateral relations between the two friendly nations.

Shakti Exercise 2019

The following points are important about Shakti Exercise for UPSC Prelims:

Quick Facts about Shakti Exercise for UPSC

The aspirants should know that defence activities are more or less used to promote cooperation between the two nations. The Shakti Exercise aims to do that between the two countries – India and France. The points below are important to know what forms the background of such military exercises:

1. The bilateral exercise between the Indian and French army started off in 2011.
2. The Shakti Exercise aims to acquaint the armies of both nations about the operational procedures and combat drills.
3. The troops of armies are trained to understand the counter-terrorism operations.
4. A few activities that are included in the training:
   1. Establishment of observation posts,
   2. Cordon and search operation and
   3. House clearing drills including the evacuation of casualties using helicopters.
5. The important editions of Shakti Exercise with year and location:
   1. 2011 – Shakti I – Chaubatia (Uttarakhand), India
   2. 2013 – Shakti II – Jodhpur (Rajasthan), India
   3. 2016 – Shakti III –
   4. 2018 – Shakti IV – Mailly-le-Camp, France
   5. 2019 – Shakti 2019 – Rajasthan, India

India-France Defence Cooperation

IAS aspirants can note the following brief points on India-France defence cooperation:

1. The establishment of a Strategic Partnership between India and France took place in 1998.
2. One of the principal pillars of the India-France Strategic Partnership is the defence and security cooperation area.
3. India has always received the support of France for its Permanent Membership in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC.)
4. India and France resolve to work together favouring Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) which is a proposed treaty that proposes to criminalize all forms of international terrorism.
5. To show full support to India, following the ‘Pulwama terror attack,’ France listed the Pakistan-based ‘global terrorist’ Masood Azhar.

To get the list of Indian Army Exercises, visit the linked article now.

UPSC Preparation: