Multinational exercise Shanti Doot-4 begins

Bangladesh, the United States, and several other nations from around the world announced on Monday their participation in the Shanti Doot- 4 exercise, reports UNB.

The 15-day exercise that began at the Bangladesh Institute of Peace Support Operation Training (BIPSOT), Rajendrapur Cantonment will continue until March 12.

This multinational exercise is the latest in a continuing series of exercises in the Indo-Pacific region designed to promote regional peace and security and enhance the peacekeeping capabilities and capacity of nations participating in the Global Peace Operations Initiative (GPOI).

The GPOI Programme expands global peacekeeping capability and capacity to meet increased peace support operations requirements through a long-term commitment to assist partner nations with training, facilities and equipment in establishing an increased level of indigenous training capacity.

Approximately 50 US and 500 Bangladesh Army personnel are expected to participate in the exercise, along with 500 personnel from more than 30 nations, said the US Embassy in Dhaka.

The training conducted during the exercise will consist of a computer-assisted, staff training exercise; field training events; and US- Bangladesh bilateral UN Critical Enabler Capabilities Enhancement (2CE) courses.

The exercise will incorporate Bangladesh Armed Forces officers and officers from Canada, Indonesia, Japan, Jordan, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, Philippines and South Korea who will refine staff skills required by military officers who operate in UN headquarters as part of peacekeeping missions around the world.

The training will be facilitated by an international cadre of instructors with extensive peacekeeping and peacekeeping-training experience.

2018 marks the 30th anniversary of Bangladesh's support to peacekeeping operations.

So Shanti Doot-4 is a fitting way to mark such a momentous anniversary as it will enable partner nations from around the world to learn from one another's experiences and deploy globally in support of vital peacekeeping missions, said Adm Harry B Harris Jr, US Pacific Command commander, during the BIPSOT dedication last year.

This kind of multinational training can deepen a mutual understanding and respect, and encourage further collaboration when we do it right and when were committed to this mission.