India-Malaysia joint military Exercise Harimau Shakti 2022 begins: India–Malaysia joint military exercise “Harimau Shakti 2022” commenced at Pulai, Kluang, Malaysia on 28th November 2022. The annual training exercise between the Indian and Malaysian Army will culminate on 12th December 2022.
Aim: To enhance the defence cooperation between Indian Army and the Malaysian Army.
In the Harimau Shakti 2022 exercise, joint operations would include both training and operations. Combat-experienced troops of the Garhwal Rifles Regiment of the Indian Army and the Royal Malay Regiment of the Malaysian Army are participating in the exercise. It is an annual training event has been conducted since 2012.
November 2022 Current Affairs Quiz
Deepening ties of India-Malaysia Relations:
Malaysia is one of the most important countries for India’s Look East and Act East Policy. Around 7.2% of the population of Malaysia is of Indian origin. The two countries have close political, economic and socio-cultural relations. The relationship is further fostered with regular military exercises between the two countries.
This joint military exercise is unique as it is for the first time that the Armed Forces of Malaysia and India held all three joint exercises in a year. Joint Naval Exercise Samdura Laksamana was held in May 2022, followed by Joint Air Exercise Udara Shakti and presently Joint Military Exercise in August 2022.
The Joint Naval Exercise Samdura Laksamana was a field training exercise involving INS Satpura and two Royal Malaysian Navy ships, KD Perak and KD Badik. It was successfully implemented with an understanding of joint maritime operating procedures.
The Joint Air Exercise Udara Shakti witnessed the conduct of various aerial combat drills between the two Air Forces. The Indian Air Force flew Su-30 MKI and C-17 aircraft in the exercise, while the Malaysian Air Force flew Su-30 MKM aircraft.
These exercises strengthen long-standing friendships and enhance defence cooperation. The Joint Military Exercise Harimau Shakti 2022 would also improve defence cooperation between the Indian and Malaysian armies. With this, bilateral relations between the two nations would also get deepen.