India will be a co-host of the Army International Scout Masters Competition 2019, marking the first such international competition in which the country will be a host and also participant, reports The Economic Times.

Speaking on the same, Spokesperson to Defence Ministry, Colonel Aman Anand said “It has been our endeavour to forge strong ties with friendly foreign countries and promote peaceful co-existence, tranquillity and development. Army Scout Masters Competition gives that opportunity, and the medium to learn from each other, co-operate and carry back best practices.”

In India, the competition will be held in Jaisalmer, seeing participation from Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Armenia, Zimbabwe, China and Belarus as participants and the event will be conducted under the Indian Army and will be organised by its Konark Corps at Jaisalmer Military Station.

The event which will take place between 6-14 August will have five main stages and involve simulated battle scenarios like that of setting up ambushes, driving infantry combat vehicles, surviving chemical and nuclear-effected environments, infiltrating behind enemy lines and exfiltrate from the enemy territory. The event will provide a platform for major military equipment like BMP infantry combat vehicles, Mi-17s, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) and Advanced Light Helicopters.

The games which will be held in ten countries including Russia, China and India will be strategic for creating a balance in the region and improving India’s military ties with China. The communist country’s participation can be seen in the backdrop of India having conducted naval exercises with the US, Japan, France and the Philippines.

Army international Scouts Masters Competition 2019

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