India to host first Annual BIMSTEC Disaster Management Exercise

India is all set to host the First Annual BIMSTEC Disaster Management Exercise, which will commence on October 10 and culminate on October 13 here.

The main focus of the four-day exercise will be to create synergy and synchronize efforts to institutionalise regional cooperation and inter-governmental coordination efforts on disaster response among Member States.

About 135 delegates from all BIMSTEC Member States, including senior level officials dealing with related policy and operational aspects, will participate in the exercise.

The Exercise will have simulated scenarios in the areas of flood management and building collapse search and rescue including Table Top Exercise (TTX), Field Training Exercise (FTX) and an After Action Review (AAR).

Hosting of the Exercise is in keeping with India's commitment to share its expertise and capabilities in disaster management with the region.

The Exercise follows the call of BIMSTEC Leaders at the BIMSTEC Leaders' Retreat hosted by Prime Minister in Goa in October 2016 for closer cooperation in disaster management through joint exercises.

India had offered to host the first Exercise at the 17th BIMSTEC Senior Officials' Meeting in Kathmandu on February 7.

-ANI