India-Sri Lanka military exercise ‘Mitra Shakti’ begins at Maduru Oya

• India and Sri Lanka kick-started ‘Mitra Shakti’ exercise at the Army Training School, Maduru Oya on November 13.

• The 12th edition of the exercise will conclude on November 26.

• The 170-member Indian contingent is drawn mainly from a battalion of the Rajputana Rifles, along with troops from other arms and services, and personnel from the Indian Air Force.

• ‘Mitra Shakti’ is an annual bilateral military exercise conducted alternately in India and Sri Lanka. 

• The exercise provides an important platform for both armies to strengthen interoperability, exchange operational experiences and share best practices in the conduct of counter-terrorism operations, while promoting mutual understanding and professional camaraderie.

• The exercise will culminate in a comprehensive validation exercise, enabling both contingents to jointly apply the tactics, techniques and procedures practised during the training.

Other bilateral exercise with Sri Lanka:

• SLINEX - Naval exercise.

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