• The 10th edition of the India-Sri Lanka Joint Military Exercise ‘Mitra Shakti’ got underway at the Army Training School, Maduru Oya in Sri Lanka.

• It will be conducted from August 12-25. 

• ‘Mitra Shakti’ is an annual training event conducted alternatively in India and Sri Lanka. 

• Its last edition was conducted in Pune in November 2023.

• The aim of the joint exercise is to enhance the joint military capability of both sides to undertake counter-insurgency operations in a sub-conventional scenario under Chapter VII of the United Nations Mandate. The exercise will focus on operations in the semi-urban environment.

• Tactical drills to be rehearsed during the exercise include response to a terrorist action, establishment of a joint command post, establishment of an intelligence and surveillance centre, securing of a helipad/landing site, small team insertion and extraction, special heliborne operations, cordon and search operations, besides employment of drones and counter-drone systems, among others.

• ‘Mitra Shakti’ will enable both sides to share best practices in tactics, techniques and procedures for conducting joint operations.

• It will facilitate developing interoperability, bonhomie and camaraderie between the two armies. The joint exercise will also enhance defence cooperation, further augmenting bilateral relations between the two friendly nations.

• The Indian contingent, comprising 106 personnel, is being represented by a Battalion of Rajputana Rifles along with personnel from other arms and services.

• The Sri Lankan contingent is being represented by personnel from the Gajaba Regiment of the Sri Lankan Army.

Other bilateral exercise with Sri Lanka

SLINEX: The 10th edition of bilateral maritime exercise involving Indian Navy and Sri Lanka Navy was conducted in Colombo in April 2023.

(The author is a trainer for Civil Services aspirants.)