India will be a superpower in future: Bhutan general

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“We are proud to be associated with India, which has the third largest army in the world. It has all the right features to become a superpower in future,” General Batoo Tshering, Chief Operations Officer of the Royal Bhutan Army told reporters after the passing out parade at the Officers Training Academy (OTA) here on Saturday.

The Bhutanese Army chief, who is on a five-day visit to strengthen defence ties between the nations, also praised OTA for training women cadets. Speaking to media persons, Lt Gen Sunil Jog, SM, VSM and Commandant of OTA, said, “The cadets have gone through 49 weeks of intensive training and have achieved everything in a fantastic way. We are all very proud of them and wish them luck wherever they have been posted.”

On a query regarding infrastructure, he said, “OTA currently trains 500 cadets. We will soon get latest training facilities and accommodation for 750 cadets. We have already written to the government of India.”

The passing out parade was marked by pride and emotions, as 284 cadets were inducted into the Indian Army on Saturday on completion of 11-months of gruelling training. “It was my ambition to serve the country. My father was a great source of inspiration to me. I feel so proud and honoured,” said Rajalakshmi of Tuticorin, who was one of the five cadets representing Tamil Nadu.

The event was also memorable for 16 foreign cadets, fifteen from Afghanistan and one from Lesotho who underwent training at OTA. Speaking to DC after the ceremony, Farhad Dilshad from Afghanistan said: “The experience in India was amazing. The culture here is not very different from that in Afghanistan. During the training period, we got to learn the ways of the Army. I hope the good relations between the two nations continue.”