New Delhi, Oct 7 (UNI) India is hosting the First Annual BIMSTEC Disaster Management Exercise here from October 10 to 13 with a focus on creating synergy and synchronisation of efforts of the member countries in the area. The Exercise follows the call of Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Economic and Technical Cooperation (BIMSTEC) leaders at their Retreat hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Goa in October 2016 for closer cooperation in disaster management through joint exercises. The main focus of the Exercise will be to create synergy and synchronise efforts to institutionalise regional cooperation and inter-governmental coordination efforts on disaster response among Member States. Besides India, the members of the sub-regional grouping are Bangladesh, Bhutan Nepal, Myanmar, Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam and Sri lanka. About 135 delegates from all BIMSTEC Member States, including senior level officials dealing with related policy and operational aspects, will participate in the Exercise . The Exercise will have simulated scenarios in the areas of flood management and building collapse search and rescue including Table Top Exercise (TTX), Field Training Exercise (FTX) and an After Action Review (AAR). 'Hosting of the Exercise is in keeping with India's commitment to share its expertise and capabilities in disaster management with the region,' the Ministry of External Affairs said here on Saturday. UNI NAZ AE 1553