Pune. As part of the inaugural Africa-India Field Training Exercise , AFINDEX-19 which commenced at Pune on March 18, a number of activities in planning and conduct of Humanitarian Mine Assistance has been undertaken by all 18 participating nations.

The activities includes demonstrations and training on establishing and functioning of Mine Action Center, identification and survey of contaminated areas, mechanical and manual demining, disposal of improvised explosives devices and air causality disposal.

The exercise is focusing on exchange of best practices amongst the participating nations, team building and tactical level operations in conduct of Humanitarian Mine Assistance and Peace Keeping operations based on the guidelines issued by the United Nations.

17 African nations i.e. Benin, Botswana, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe, three observers African nations i.e. Rwanda, Congo and Madagascar alongwith India are participating in the inaugural Africa-India Field Training Exercise.

AFINDEX-19 will go a long way in further cementing relationship among the nations and will act as a catalyst in bringing synergy and cooperation while undertaking such operations under the United Nations mandate.