(16 Sep 2003)
1. Tilt-up to show U.S. and Indian soldiers climbing steep rocky mountains
2. U.S. soldier climbing
3. Various of mountain climbing exercise
4. SOUNDBITE ( English ) Unidentified U.S Army Sergeant:
"My team routinely mountain climbs and we are just showing different techniques."
5. Wide of mountain
6. Various of Indian and U.S. soldiers during joint exercise
7. News conference held by Indian army
8. SOUNDBITE ( English) Lieutenant General Arvind Sharma, Indian Special Forces:
"The aim of this exercise is to conduct joint training and multiple tactical exercises in special operations in high altitude areas, to enhance inter-operability between our Special Forces and United States Special Forces."
9. Various of joint mountain climbing exercise
STORYLINE :
Elite troops from Indian and U.S. Special Forces units are currently involved in a three week joint military exercise in India's Jammu-Kashmir state, the Himalayan region bordering China and Pakistan.
Nineteen American and 31 Indian soldiers are participating in the exercises, which began on September 5th in the rugged mountains of Ladakh, the northern-most province of Jammu-Kashmir.
U.S. and Indian commandos dressed in full combat gear have been simulating battle conditions in the extreme terrain.
The exercises involve climbing cliffs and jagged rock-faces and carrying out combat and surveillance training.
The shortage of oxygen in Ladakh, 4,880 metres (16,000 feet) above sea level, was another challenge and the American soldiers spent the first three days acclimatising to the high altitude.
Ties between U.S. and Indian militaries have improved since 2001, when Washington lifted sanctions on New Delhi after India tested nuclear bombs in 1998.
The two countries have held three joint military exercises in India in the past year.
Indian soldiers and airmen also participated in training exercises with U.S. forces in Alaska last October.
The current exercises end on September 25.
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