India, Sri Lanka launch joint NCC cycling expedition training in Kerala

The National Cadet Corps (NCC) units of India and Sri Lanka commenced joint training activities in Kollam on Monday as preparation for a planned cycling expedition between the two countries. Cadets from both nations are undergoing conditioning and technical preparedness drills at the Kerala coastal town, marking a significant step in military-to-military engagement between India and Sri Lanka.

The expedition represents part of broader bilateral defence cooperation initiatives between the two South Asian neighbours. Such joint training programmes typically focus on building camaraderie among young military personnel while demonstrating shared commitment to regional security and peaceful collaboration.

Kollam, situated on the Arabian Sea coast in southern Kerala, has been selected as a training hub for the expedition preparations. The location offers suitable terrain and logistics infrastructure for the cadets to undertake rigorous physical conditioning and cycling proficiency drills ahead of the planned cross-country expedition.

The training schedule encompasses endurance building, route familiarisation, and coordination exercises designed to prepare the contingent from both nations for the demanding cycling journey. Officials overseeing the programme emphasised the importance of such initiatives in fostering people-to-people connections alongside institutional ties between India and Sri Lanka.

The joint NCC cycling expedition is expected to traverse multiple regions, serving as a goodwill mission that highlights the enduring defence partnership and cultural ties between the two island and mainland nations of South Asia.