The first Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) exercise involving air forces of five countries, including India and Bangladesh, will start at the South Indian state of Kerala today.

The six-day multilateral exercise, named “Samvedna” (Solidarity), is the first composite HADR exercise in South Asian region, and it will also involve representatives from air forces of Sri Lanka, Nepal and the UAE, said a defence ministry statement.

The exercise, hosted by the Southern Air Command of India, will provide an understanding of the scope, role and task, including challenges in aerial operations, and ensure better understanding, and sharing of response procedures among the nations.