India, Seychelles begin military exercise to counter insurgency, piracy

By Anish SinghnnNEW DELHI: Indian Army and Seychelles People’s Defence Forces on Saturday began their eight edition of military exercise at Mahe Island in the archipelago with an aim to fighting insurgency, terrorism and piracy threats.nnThe Seychelles archipelago falls on one of the most significant sea routes in the world.nnThe exercise is called ?Lamitye?, meaning friendship in Creole and will conclude on March 4.nnColonel Rajesh Bisht, Military Advisor to Seychelles Peoples’ Defence Force and Leader of Indian Army Training team paid courtesy call to Ambassador Barry Faure, Secretary of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Seychelles, Brig Leopold Payet, Chief of Defence Forces SPDF and Ausaaf Sayeed, High Commissioner of India in Seychelles, the Indian Army Spokesperson said.nnThe Indian team is comprised of 45 personnel, including four officers, five Junior Commissioned Officers and 36 Other Ranks.nnThe team has soldiers from various arms and services.nnBoth the armies have been holding training exercises since 2001 in an effort to enhance military cooperation and interoperability among themselves.