NEPAL: Over 800 soldiers from 23 countries, including India, the United Kingdom and United States, hold training exercises to enhance their peacekeeping skills

Record ID: 349682

  • Title: NEPAL: Over 800 soldiers from 23 countries, including India, the United Kingdom and United States, hold training exercises to enhance their peacekeeping skills
  • Date: 30th March 2013
  • Summary: PANCHKHAL, NEPAL (MARCH 25, 2013) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF TROOPS FROM DIFFERENT PARTICIPATING COUNTRIES MARCHING DURING THE OPENING CEREMONY FOR THE SHANTI PRAYAS GLOBAL PEACEKEEPING EXERCISE AT THE BIRENDRA PEACE OPERATIONS TRAINING CENTRE NEPALESE ARMY HELICOPTERS FLYING OVER CEREMONY TROOPS STANDING DURING OPENING CEREMONY
  • Embargoed: 14th April 2013 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Nepal
  • Country: Nepal
  • Topics: International Relations,Defence / Military
  • Reuters ID: LVABPSP4R6LDUASK2RN7APHS21O5
  • Story Text: Over 800 soldiers from 23 different countries have gathered in Nepal to take part in a series of peacekeeping training exercises.
    The Global Peace Operations Initiative (GPOI), known as "Shanti Prayas 2" or "Peace Efforts 2" is hosted by the Nepalese army and brings together troops from the USA, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Jordan and India among others. It trains them in peacekeeping skills, ahead of any deployment on United Nations peacekeeping missions, the United States Pacific Command (U.S. PACOM) website said.
    GPOI, a 2004 G8 initiative, is a US-funded programme, created to boost international capacity to conduct United Nations peacekeeping missions.
    Deputy Commandant and Training Chief of Shanti Prayas 2, Lieutenant Colonel Ashim Thebe said it was a unique opportunity for those involved.

    "Right from Paraguay, Jordan, Kazakhstan, new members, new GPOI (Global Peace Operation Initiative) countries. So they are here all together, 23 different nationalities. They are coming here so they are sharing knowledge, experience, so I believe they are enjoying. It's a unique opportunity forum so they are making use of the time," he said.
    This is the second time the Nepalese army has organised this type of exercise. The first "Shanti Praya" was held in 2000.
    The exercises run from March 25 to April 7 and will include a senior training seminar at the Nepalese Army Headquarters in Kathmandu.

    "GPOI exercise make improvement our skill and our knowledge to conduct UN mission in any place in the world," said an unnamed Indonesian Airforce Officer.
    One officer from Mongolia said it wasn't the first time his country was sending troops.

    "The Mongolia, we already sent the first two military observers to the Democratic Republic of Congo and this is our 7th year in our country to send the troops to abroad the countries," said Mongolian Officer, Niyamjargal.
    Field exercises take place at the Birendra Peace Operations Training Center in Panchkhal where platoons will conduct scenarios from real peacekeeping missions.
    Eleven nations are participating in the field exercises, including Nepal, Japan, Indonesia and Jordan among others, the U.S. PACOM site said.
    A Japanese officer conducting one of the field exercises had to practise securing an area to enable the World Food Programme to distribute supplies.

    "I think, the most important thing is coordination, coordinate with WFP and our staff, and we move to protect the area," said Japanese Army Officer, Lieutenant Okawa Hitoshi.
    Other scenarios included platoons being under attack and administering first aid to casualties under combat stress.
    The Nepalese army has been aiding in peacekeeping missions around the world for the past 53 years and has deployed over 90,000 troops, the Nepalese army website said.
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