The eighth meeting of the Indo-US Army Executive Steering Group (ESG) was held at Headquarters Southern Command, Pune. A US delegation, led by Lt Gen James L Campbell, Commanding General, United States Army Pacific took part in the deliberations. The Indian delegation was led by Lt Gen BS Takhar, Director General, Military Operations. The meeting was conducted in a cordial and cooperative atmosphere. The ESG reviewed the progress made in military-to-military cooperation during last year.

During the two-day meeting, the US delegation visited National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla where it had an exchange with cadets and instructors. Prior to departure, the US delegation was briefed at College of Military Engineering on improvised explosive devices. ESG meetings are held annually, on a reciprocal basis, in both countries. The next ESG meeting is scheduled to be held in the USA, in December this year.

Of late, Indo-US defence cooperation has made good progress in areas of expert exchanges, visits, seminars and courses as well as joint exercises. During the past two years, five joint Army exercises have been conducted in both the USA and India, with the gamut of scope ranging from counter-terrorism to airborne operations.

For the first time a dinghy race was conducted in Northern Andaman Islands to inculcate social values among fishermen. The event was jointly organised by Regional Sports Council (North Andaman) and CGS Bhikhaiji Cama.

Seventeen teams participated in the race which was flagged off from Smith Island and finished at Aerial Bay covering seven kms. On completion of the race, Commanding Officer, CGS Bhikhaiji Cama gave away the prizes to the winners and said that these kinds of events should be conducted on a regular basis.

Fourth Battalion of Dogra Regiment successfully scaled Leo Pargial I (22,222 ft), the second highest peak in Himachal Pradesh. This peak, situated in the Zanskar Ranges, has always been held in high esteem by mountaineers. This was the first expedition undertaken by Char Satra in its history of 63 years. The team, comprising two officers, one JCO and 22 ORs, was flagged off from Delhi by Maj Gen PK Rampal, GOC of an Infantry Division. The expedition was led by Capt Amit Chaudhari.

After completing a training capsule at Nako (roadhead of Leo Pargial) which included acclimatisa-tion and rock craft and ice-craft training, the team commenced the expedition. The team was flagged in by Maj Gen PK Rampal in Delhi. Gen NC Vij, Chief of the Army Staff and Colonel of the Dogra Regiment and Dogra Scouts congratulated the team on this occasion.