RAJENDRAPUR CANTONMENT, Bangladesh (AP) - Multinational peacekeeping exercises kicked off in Bangladesh with troops from 12 countries participating in the U.S.-led drills, officials said.

Some 400 soldiers from nations such as India, Indonesia, South Korea, and Sri Lanka were taking part in the three-week exercises dubbed "Ambassador of Peace."

American Lt. Col. Edward Tanguy, commander of the 249th Regional Training Institute in the United States, said Sunday the drills will involve checkpoint and convoy operations, patrols, and search-and-disarmament skills.

"This exercise provides us the opportunity to exchange tactics, techniques and procedures at the tactical level with all the multinational forces," Tanguy told The Associated Press at the training site at Rajendrapur Cantonment near the capital Dhaka.