The 4th edition of joint military exercise 'DUSTLIK' between the Indian Army and the Uzbekistan Army was held in :

Correct — C, Pithoragarh. The 4th edition of the India–Uzbekistan joint military exercise 'DUSTLIK' was held at Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand. 'Dustlik' (meaning 'friendship') is an annual bilateral army exercise held alternately in the two countries.

Why the others are wrong

• (a)
  Ranikhet — A hill town/cantonment in Uttarakhand, but not the venue of the 4th Dustlik exercise.
• (b)
  Gangtok — The capital of Sikkim; not associated with the Dustlik series.
• (d)
  Leh — A high-altitude town in Ladakh; not the Dustlik-4 venue.

'Dustlik' is a joint counter-terrorism/mountain-warfare exercise between the Indian and Uzbekistan armies, held annually and alternately in each country. Anchored to the April-2023 exam, the 4th edition took place at Pithoragarh in Uttarakhand.

Key facts

• 'Dustlik' is a joint India–Uzbekistan army exercise ('dustlik' = friendship).
• The 4th edition was held at Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand.
• It is held annually and alternately in the two countries.
• It focuses on counter-terrorism and mountain warfare.

Common traps

• Guessing another Uttarakhand town instead of Pithoragarh.
• Confusing Dustlik's partner country.

• practice — not a real PYQ

  The 'Dustlik' military exercise is held between India and

  • (a)Uzbekistan
  • (b)Kazakhstan
  • (c)Kyrgyzstan
  • (d)Tajikistan
  Answer(a) Uzbekistan.
• practice — not a real PYQ

  The word 'Dustlik' means

  • (a)strength
  • (b)friendship
  • (c)victory
  • (d)unity
  Answer(b) friendship.