MITRA SHAKTI-2025

The 11^th edition of Exercise MITRA SHAKTI-2025, a joint military drill between India and Sri Lanka, was held at Belagavi, Karnataka, to strengthen defence cooperation and enhance interoperability in counter-terrorism and peacekeeping operations.

Exercise MITRA SHAKTI: It is an annual joint training exercise between the Indian and Sri Lankan Armies, conducted alternatively in both countries since 2012.
Sub-Conventional and Joint Counter-Terrorist Operations: The aim of the exercise is to jointly rehearse conduct of Sub Conventional Operations under Chapter VII of United Nations Mandate (deals with action concerning threats to peace, breaches of peace, and acts of aggression).
- The scope of the exercise includes synergising joint responses during counter-terrorist operations.
- Exercise MITRA SHAKTI-2025 features Drones and Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS) for enhanced operational effectiveness.

India-Sri Lanka Defence and Security Cooperation

Sri Lanka is vital to India’s ‘MAHASAGAR Vision’ because of its strategic location near key Indian Ocean shipping lanes.
Joint Military Exercises: Exercise MITRA SHAKTI (Army) and SLINEX (Naval) held alternatively in India and Sri Lanka every year.
Humanitarian and Environmental Assistance: India has been the “first responder” during maritime emergencies in Sri Lankan waters.
- Indian Navy and Coast Guard intervened in incidents like MV X-Press Pearl disaster (2021) and MT New Diamond (vessel) fire incident (2020) to prevent environmental disasters.
Capacity Building Initiatives: Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) for the Sri Lanka Navy, set up under a Government of India grant, commissioned in 2024.

Read more: India-Sri Lanka Relations

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