The inaugural joint field training exercise was held in Uzbekistan in 2019

The second edition of the joint India-Uzbekistan military exercise Dustlik-II will be held in India from March 10 to 19.

The 10-day joint field training exercise will see army personnel from India and Uzbekistan take part in drills for counter-terrorism operations.

According to the Indian Army, this engagement will enhance military cooperation between the two countries.

Dustlik means friendship in the Uzbek language.

"#Indo-Uzbek Joint Exercise Dustlik-ll; #RezangLa Battalion #KhargaWarriors representing #IndianArmy in exercise based on counter terrorist operations & enhancing military cooperation. #Uzbekistan Army contingent arriving in the first week of March," the Indian Army's Western Command said on Twitter.



While a 45-member Uzbek contingent will be taking part in the exercise, the Kharga Warriors - personnel of the Indian Army's 2 Corps, also known as the Kharga Corps - have already commenced pre-exercise training.

The first edition of the exercise, Dustlik-I was held in Uzbekistan, near Tashkent, from November 3-13, 2019.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had flagged off the exercise along with his Uzbek counterpart, Major General Bakhodir Kurbanov. The joint exercise focused on counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations in urban settings.