Description

Source: Indiatoday

Disclaimer: Copyright infringement not intended.

Context:

Recently, 3rd edition of Exercise CYCLONE, started on February 10, 2025 between India &
This exercise is a joint special forces training program which will run until 23 Feb 2025 in the Mahajan Field Firing Ranges, Rajasthan
This exercise happens annually.
The previous 2nd edition was hosted by Egypt in January 2024.

Participants

Indian Special Forces Battalions.
Egyptian Special Forces Group and Task Force.

Focus

Advanced Special Forces Techniques aims to develop combat skills suitable for high-intensity environments.
Joint Tactical Drills help to boost operational synergy through planning.
Counter-Terrorism Operations provides training for real-world threats in the challenging terrains like deserts etc.

Features

India's indigenous defense technology will be displayed this time.
So, This will be showing India’s growing military manufacturing capabilities.
Through this exercise, both nations can improve their effectiveness in handling global security challenges.

India-Egypt Relations

Political Relations

●Diplomatic relations between both nations were established at the Ambassadorial level on 18 August 1947.

●President Sisi’s visits to India:

In January 2023: He was Invited as the Chief Guest at India's 74th Republic Day.
In September 2023: He Participated in G20 Leaders’ Summit.

Economic Relations

●Bilateral trade in FY 2021-22 was USD 7.26 billion (75% increase from FY 2020-21).

●Bilateral trade in FY 2022-23 was USD 6.06 billion.

Indian exports: USD 4.11 billion.
Egyptian imports to India: USD 1.95 billion.

●Egyptian investments in India are USD 37 million.

●Indian investments in Egypt were (FY 2023-24): USD 170 million.

●55 Indian companies investing in Egypt which is providing direct/indirect employment to 38,000 Egyptians.

Defence Relations

●9th Joint Defence Committee (JDC) meetings in November 2019 & 10th JDC happened on 29 July-2 August 2024.

●Defence exercises:

Desert Warrior .

Joint exercise in May 2023 with Indian and Egyptian Air Forces.

India participated in Bright Star-2023 in August.
Cyclone-II Special Forces exercise in January 2024.

Cultural Relations

●28th edition of the “Glimpses of India” painting competition (October-November 2024) saw 22,572 Egyptian schoolchildren from 1427 schools participate.

●Yoga Day (IDY) 2024: Celebrations across multiple cities with thousands attending.

●The 9th Ayurveda Day was celebrated on 28 October 2024 with exhibitions and virtual sessions.

Source:

Indiatoday

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.With reference to the 3rd edition of Exercise CYCLONE between India and Egypt, consider the following statements:

The exercise is being held in Rajasthan.
The exercise focuses on counter-terrorism operations and joint tactical drills in desert terrains.
The previous edition of Exercise CYCLONE was hosted by India in January 2024.
Diplomatic relations between both nations were established at the Ambassadorial level on 18 August 1950.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1, 2 and 3 only
(c) 2, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 3 and 4 only

Answer: (a)

Explanation:

●Statement 1 is correct: The 3rd edition of Exercise CYCLONE is being held in Rajasthan from February 10 to February 23, 2025.

●Statement 2 is correct: The exercise focuses on counter-terrorism operations, joint tactical drills, and desert combat techniques.

●Statement 3 is incorrect: The previous edition was hosted by Egypt in January 2024, not India.

●Statement 4 is incorrect: Diplomatic relations between both nations were established at the Ambassadorial level on 18 August 1947.