India, Australia military exercise starts to practice conduct of joint operations

Conventional warfighting and cricket will underscore the deepening defence cooperation between Australian and India at a two-week long (November 8-21) military exercise in Aundh near Pune.

The Southern Command of the Indian Army announced the exercise named ‘Austrahind’ in a post on X, saying ‘The 3^rd edition of Exercise Austrahind a joint military exercise is be held at the Foreign Training Node, Pune.’

‘The objective of the exercise is to strengthen interoperability between the Indian Army and Australian Army in conducting sub-conventional operations under the UN Mandate’, the Southern Command’s post added.

The Australian Defence Ministry put out details on its side on Friday and said apart from the military drills they were looking forward to playing a game of cricket with the Indian Army.

The Australian Commander of 13^th Brigade, Brigadier Amanda Williamson, said the exercise allows Australia and India to share their skills and tactics in an increasingly complex regional context.

The Australian Defence Ministry quoted Brig Williamson, saying “The planned cultural exchange between the 10^th Light Horse Regiment of Australia and the Indian Army’s Dogra Regiment will be a remarkable opportunity for two historic units to share experiences.”

Brigadier Williamson said while activities such as traditional dancing, military horse riding and the ceremonial food banquet might be new to some of the Australian soldiers, the planned cricket match between the two units will be more familiar.

Brig Willaimson added, “Australia and India are top-tier security partners. We’re strengthening our defence cooperation in the Indian Ocean region.”

Coming together allows India and Australia to enhance the scope and complexity of joint military exercises and develop new ways to address our shared security challenges.

The Australian Defence Ministry said it allows its troops will be experiencing the military culture of a “top-tier security partner” (India).

Australia and India share a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership contributing to an open, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.

Last year, Indian Army was hosted at Western Australia.