India–Sri Lanka Joint Military Exercise MITRA SHAKTI-2025 Commences in Belagavi

The 11th edition of the bilateral military exercise MITRA SHAKTI-2025 between India and Sri Lanka began on November 10, 2025, at the Foreign Training Node, Belagavi, Karnataka. The joint exercise will continue till November 23, 2025.

Participating Contingents

• Indian contingent: 170 personnel, primarily from the Rajput Regiment.
• Sri Lankan contingent: 135 personnel, mainly from the Gajaba Regiment.
• Air Force participation: 20 personnel from the Indian Air Force and 10 from the Sri Lankan Air Force are also taking part, strengthening inter-service coordination.

Aim and Objectives

• The primary goal of MITRA SHAKTI-2025 is to enhance interoperability, coordination, and mutual understanding between the two armies.
• The exercise focuses on sub-conventional operations under Chapter VII of the UN mandate, which deals with actions related to the maintenance of international peace and security.
• Special emphasis is placed on counter-terrorism operations in semi-urban and urban environments.

Training Highlights

The two-week joint training includes:

• Raid and search operations
• Heliborne missions and search-and-destroy tasks
• Army Martial Arts Routine (AMAR) and combat reflex shooting
• Yoga sessions for mental resilience and team cohesion
• Integration of drones, counter-unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS), and helicopters to simulate realistic battlefield conditions

Source: TH