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Suryakiran XIX India-Nepal Forces Launch Joint Mountain Drills

India-Nepal Joint Exercise SURYAKIRAN XIX – 2025 Commences

Indian and Nepali soldiers in camouflage uniforms stand in formation during the inauguration ceremony of Exercise Suryakiran XIX at the Maitri Dwar gate in Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand, with Indian and Nepali national flags, military emblems, and a brick archway backdrop against a mountainous forested background.
Troops from the Indian Assam Regiment and Nepali Devi Datta Regiment gather for the opening of Exercise Suryakiran XIX-2025 at Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand, on November 25, 2025, under the Maitri Dwar friendship gate.

The 19th edition of the joint military exercise, Exercise SURYAKIRAN XIX – 2025, began today at Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand. The exercise is scheduled to run from 25 November to 8 December 2025.

The Indian contingent consists of 334 personnel, primarily drawn from the Assam Regiment. The Nepalese contingent also comprises 334 personnel, mainly from the Devi Datta Regiment.

Objectives and Scope

The exercise aims to jointly rehearse the conduct of sub-conventional operations under Chapter VII of the United Nations mandate. Its scope includes strengthening battalion-level coordination in jungle warfare, counter-terrorism operations in mountainous terrain, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR), medical response, environmental conservation, and integrated ground–aviation operations.

Focus on Emerging Technologies

This edition emphasizes the integration of niche and emerging technologies such as unmanned aerial systems (UAS), drone-based intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), AI-enabled decision support tools, unmanned logistic vehicles, and armoured protection platforms. These tools are intended to help both armies refine tactics, techniques, and procedures for counter-terrorism operations aligned with current global dynamics.

Interoperability and Knowledge Sharing

The exercise will focus on enhancing interoperability among troops while minimizing risks to life and property, keeping United Nations objectives at the forefront during peacekeeping operations. Both sides will exchange insights and practices across a range of combat skills, allowing participants to learn from each other. The sharing of best practices is expected to further strengthen defence cooperation between the Indian Army and the Nepal Army, while also fostering strong bilateral relations between the two nations.

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