A first: 30 foreign scribes invited to military exercises

Among the visiting group of journalist, there is a fair representation from the developed world, global south as well as small island nations. Journalists hail from Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Japan, South Korea, Israel and Armenia. European countries include Sweden, Italy and Netherlands. Besides, journalists have been invited from several African countries, including Egypt, South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Algeria and Morocco; as well as South American nations, including Brazil, Argentina and Guyana.

“This visit is a part of the ‘familiarisation’ effort to get media- reporters of these countries exposed to what India is doing in militarily,” said sources.

This is the first time that the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Defence, along with the armed forces, is opening up the military exercises for foreign journalists to see.

Globally, the European Union, Israel, the US, the UK and France, among others, do such ‘familiarisation’ trips, inviting journalists from other countries to witness military exercises or industrial complexes.

The visiting delegation, over the next fortnight, would be attending key military exercises conducted by the Navy, Indian Air Force and the Army and also visit several private and public sector companies in the field of manufacturing.

They will start at the International Fleet Review, which begins on February 17 at Vishakhapatnam. INS Vikrant, India’s first indigenously-built aircraft carrier, is the centre of attraction at the IFR.

This will be followed by the week-long exercise, Milan, to be conducted from February 19 to 26. It would feature the US, Russia and Iran among 60 countries. Japan and Australia, both partners in the Quad, would also be there displaying New Delhi’s multi alignment policy.

The delegation would also witness the IAF exercise, Vayu Shakti, in the deserts of Rajasthan and be part of a firing display, hosted by the Army 12 corps headquartered at Jodhpur.

The delegation will then visit Bharat Electronics Limited, along with private companies like domestic small arms maker SSS Defence, aerospace company New Space, and sensor and thermal imager making company Tonbo.