Shillong: Britain and France have approached India for a joint exercise on counter-terrorism and jungle warfare, similar to the recent US exercise in Mizoram early this month, a senior army official today (Apr 28, 2004) said.

"Proposals to have a similar exchange of training on counter-terrorism and jungle warfare have received from Britain and France," deputy chief of Army Staff Lt Gen J P S Yadava told reporters in Shillong.

He did not divulge the dates of the proposed joint exercises and said 'modalities' were being worked out.

The proposals from the two Western powers came in the backdrop of an Indo-US joint exercise at the country's only counter-insurgency and jungle warfare school in Mizoram's Vairangte earlier this month.

The American soldiers, commanded by Lt Col David Wisecarver, were part of the Alaska-based 172 Stryker Infantry Brigade and had been in the training ground here since March 28.

The General, who was in Shillong on a day's visit to inspect the Gorkha training centre of the Army, said there was a reciprocal response of the United States on an immediate joint exercise.

The Indian Army would send a team to the US for similar counter-terrorism training, the deputy chief said.

Updating technology, weapons and new practices on counter terrorism would be followed in the exercise, he said replying to a question.