India and Nepal Conclude 19th Exercise Suryakiran

Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand — The 19th edition of the Indo-Nepal joint exercise SURYAKIRAN ended with a closing ceremony at Pithoragarh on December 9, the Indian Army said. The event marked the conclusion of an intensive combined training cycle aimed at sharpening sub-conventional and counter-terrorism capabilities in difficult terrain.

Deputy General Military Officers (DGMOs) from India and Nepal jointly observed and validated a battalion-level validation exercise held at the Foreign Training Node. The validation tested jointly developed tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs) for counter-terror operations conducted under Chapter VII of the UN Charter.

The exercise emphasized technology-enabled interoperability. Units integrated drones for ISR and precision targeting, AI-assisted surveillance, unmanned logistics platforms, advanced day/night optics and secure battlefield communications. Demonstrations showed cohesive mission planning and coordinated execution across battalion, company and team levels, featuring intelligence-led precision actions and aerial insertion into complex, mountainous and jungle terrain.

To mark the strengthened ties, the DGMOs planted a "Tree of Friendship," symbolizing the enduring partnership and mutual trust between the two armies.

The Indian contingent of 334 personnel was primarily drawn from the Assam Regiment; the Nepalese contingent of 334 personnel mainly came from the Devi Datta Regiment. The exercise focused on jungle warfare and counter-terrorism in mountainous terrain and rehearsed combined sub-conventional operations under a UN mandate.