(a) whether para troopers of the Indian Army participated in Joint Exercise with US Army in Alaska, in October, 2002;
(b) if so, the number of Indian personnel who took part in the exercise;
(c) whether such exercises are likely to be held in India; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF DEFENCE (SHRI GEORGE FERNANDES)
(a) to (d): Paratroopers of the Indian Army participated in Joint Exercises with US Army in Alaska, USA. One platoon with one aircraft IL-76 participated in the exercise. Consequent upon Indo-US Defence Policy Group and Military Cooperation Group Meetings held in May 2002, future exercise between Special Forces and Paratroopers of both countries would be finalized in the next Executive Steering Group Meeting to be held in December, 2002. A joint exercise with US Special Forces is being planned in Jungle Terrain, in April 2003.