DR MALIKI VISITS BILATERAL ARTILLERY EXERCISE IN INDIA

For the last three weeks, the Devlali Training Area in India, has been home to about 240 soldiers from the 23rd and 24th Battalions, Singapore Artillery.

This year marks the 10th edition of Exercise Agni Warrior, a bilateral artillery exercise between the Singapore and Indian Armies.

Held from 13 Nov to 3 Dec, the exercise will see soldiers from both battalions take part in a live firing exercise with the Indian Army, involving the Singapore Light Weight Howitzer (SLWH) and the Field Artillery Meteorological System.

On 30 Nov, Senior Minister of State for Defence and Foreign Affairs Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman visited the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) soldiers participating in Exercise Agni Warrior. He interacted with soldiers from both battalions and applauded their professionalism and hard work in honing their artillery skills.

Dr Maliki also witnessed the combined live firing exercise between both armies and even tried his hand at firing the SLWH. Speaking to the troops, he highlighted the limited training space that Singapore has for realistic training, and expressed his appreciation to India for the opportunity allowing the SAF to train and exercise with the Indian Armed Forces.

Agreeing with his sentiments, Corporal First Class Seah En Hai, an SLWH Operator, said: "Coming to India gave us the opportunity to participate in a live-firing exercise and exchange experiences with the Indian Army. It provided us with the terrain and atmosphere of what we can expect in an operational environment."

Held in India since 2004, Exercise Agni Warrior is conducted under the ambit of the Army Bilateral Agreement. Singapore and India signed a revised Defence Cooperation Agreement last November, and both countries have committed to exploring further defence cooperation in areas of interest such as counter-terrorism and maritime security.

As part of his visit in India from 27 to 30 Nov, Dr Maliki also visited Madrasa Afzal Ul Uloom in Agra and Madrasa Hussain Bakhsh in New Delhi. He exchanged views with the respective Madrasa Presidents on fostering inter-religious understanding and promoting religious harmony.

They also discussed the importance for communities and societies across the world to work together in a concerted effort against the narratives of religious radicalisation. Dr Maliki also toured the Madrasas and had the opportunity to witness the students reciting verses from the Quran.