Exercise LAMITIYE-2026 | 10 Mar 2026

Source: PIB 

An Indian Armed Forces contingent participates in the 11th edition of the Joint Military Exercise “LAMITIYE-2026”, aimed at strengthening defence cooperation and operational coordination between India and Seychelles. 

• Exercise LAMITIYE: The word “LAMITIYE” means “Friendship” in Creole (official languages of Seychelles), reflects the spirit of defence cooperation between the two nations.  
  • Joint Military Exercise LAMITIYE is a biennial exercise conducted since 2001 between the Indian Armed Forces and the Seychelles Defence Forces. 
  • The exercise aims to enhance interoperability in sub-conventional operations in semi-urban environments, strengthen peacekeeping coordination, and exchange tactical skills and new military technologies between the two forces. 
  • 11th edition marks the first tri-service participation of the Indian Armed Forces, with personnel from the ASSAM Regiment, along with the Indian Navy and Indian Air Force, including INS Trikand and a C-130J Super Hercules. 
• Seychelles: It is an archipelagic state of 155 islands in the western Indian Ocean, located northeast of Madagascar and off the east coast of Africa.  
  • Situated on the Mascarene Plateau, it is Africa’s smallest country, with Victoria on Mahé Island as its capital.  
  • Owing to its location along key maritime trade routes, Seychelles holds strategic importance for India in maritime security, and is an important partner in India’s SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision.