India to host part of International Army Games for first time

In a first, India will host a part of an international military sports event in Rajasthan's Jaisalmer over nine days in August, in a bid to promote bonhomie among participating countries, Army officials said on Tuesday.

International Army Games, organised by Ministry of Defense of Russian Federation, have been taking place since 2015 and sees participation of close to 32 countries.

In 2019, it is proposed that International Army Games will have 32 disciplines to be hosted by 10 countries -- Russia, India, China, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Iran, Mongolia, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, y said.

India will host fifth Army International Scout Masters Competition as part of games, an official said.

India leg of event is being held at culturally rich golden city of Jaisalmer, nestled in Thar desert.

"A total of eight countries -- Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Zimbabwe, Armenia, Belarus, China and India -- will participate in this leg. competition is being held in India for first time under aegis of Indian Army and being organised by Konark Corps at Jaisalmer military station," official said.

Army Scout Masters Competition will be conducted from August 6 to August 14, he said.

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said it is indeed a matter of "great esteem and pride" for India to host global competition for first time.

"I also take this opportunity to thank International Organising Committee for selecting India to host games, last one (fourth edition) being held at Novosibirsk, Russia in 2018. International Army Games provides a competitive platform for participants of respective countries to test ir skills, develop bonhomie and camarerie," she said in her message.

"With ever-evolving dynamic security situation, it is imperative for all of us to work toger and inter-operate with each or. As India emerges as a regional power, it contributes to regional security environment in particular and world in general," she said.

It has been India's endeavour to forge strong ties with friendly foreign countries and promote peaceful co-existence, tranquility and development. Army Scout Masters Competition gives that opportunity and a medium to learn from each or, co-operate and carry back best practices, she ded.

Army Games have been a platform for participating nations to interact and promote bonhomie.

Officials said aim of competition is to enhance international military-to-military cooperation, assist each or in proliferation of best practices, develop competitive spirit amongst scouts participating and display combat capabilities and characteristics of modern weapons and equipment.

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Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat, in his message, said strengning of defence cooperation with friendly nations remains an important objective and component of Indian Armed Forces.

With need to build capability to operate alongside partner nations for meeting evolving global challenges, Indian Army has undertaken defence cooperation initiatives to develop friendly relations and to strengn engagement, based on a spirit of building mutual trust, he said.

Indian Army is proud to host Fifth Army Scout Masters Competition as part of International Army Games 2019, Gen Rawat said. 

" championship will offer unique challenges and opportunities. competition is designed to promote co-operation, collaboration and team spirit among contestants and facilitate sharing of best practices, technology and hardware," Rawat said.

Army officials said, role of an army scout is to operate as one of le personnel in an operational area to gar information of enemy by vehicle mounted or dismounted reconnaissance patrols.

"Army Scouts track as well as report movement behind enemy lines, assist in disruption of enemy mechanised move by using anti-armour weapons, laying ambushes deep inside enemy territory and direct employment of various weapon systems," an official said.

ir specialised skills enable m to assist with observation and listening posts, perform and help with navigation and help securing launch ps. y are trained to carry out silent battle reconnaissance after establishing contact and reconnaissance of crossing places over obstacles.

Scouts are professionally trained to find out strength and dispositions of an enemy, gaps in enemy defences and its likely reactions. y are also referred to as 'eyes and ears' of army, y said.

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