Context

• Over the past two weeks, with effect from 3 February to 16 February, the Armies of India and Bangladesh participated in joint military Exercise Sampriti IX at Umroi, Meghalaya. This was the 9^th edition of the exercise. 
• The exercise was aimed at strengthening the military relations between the two countries, which allowed the two armies to understand each other’s tactical drills and operating techniques. 
• The exercise provided a platform for the personnel of the two countries to share their experiences on counter-insurgency, counter-terrorism operations, and on providing aid to civil authorities for disaster management, especially in the jungle and semi-urban terrains.
• SAMPRITI series of the joint exercise is a very important military & diplomatic initiative between both the nations and the edifice of the trust and friendship between India & Bangladesh. The exercise is hosted alternately by both countries.