The eleventh iteration of the bilateral military exercise between India and Sri Lanka, known as Mitra Shakti, successfully concluded on Saturday in Belagavi, Karnataka. This significant defense cooperation event saw active participation from troops of the Pune-based Southern Command of the Indian Army.
Focus on Sub-Conventional Operations
The 2025 edition of Exercise Mitra Shakti placed strong emphasis on joint tactical drills and sub-conventional operations conducted under the United Nations mandate. According to the Indian Army's official statement on X, the exercise significantly strengthened operational synergy, interoperability, and mutual trust between the two neighboring armies.
Military personnel from both nations engaged in intensive training designed to enhance their joint capability to conduct counter-terrorism and sub-conventional operations in semi-urban environments. This reflects the shared commitment of India and Sri Lanka to regional peace, stability, and strengthened defense cooperation.
Enhancing UN Peacekeeping Capabilities
Since its inception in 2012, the Mitra Shakti series, which translates to 'power of friendship,' has primarily focused on improving interoperability between the two armies for various security challenges in the sensitive Indian Ocean Region. A key objective of these exercises is to prepare both armies for effective collaboration when deployed as part of United Nations peacekeeping forces.
The exercise drills are meticulously designed each year to incorporate the latest dynamics and trends in UN peacekeeping operations. This is achieved through comprehensive discussions, specialized training sessions, and practical tactical exercises that help participants adapt to and learn from each other's best practices and operational experiences.
Strategic Timing with Regional Security Dialogue
The concluding phase of Exercise Mitra Shakti coincided strategically with the seventh National Security Adviser-level meeting of the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) held in New Delhi on November 20. This high-level security dialogue was hosted by India's NSA Ajit Doval and included participation from member states Maldives, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, with Seychelles as an Observer State and Malaysia as a Guest.
The Colombo Security Conclave, formed to promote closer cooperation on vital security matters, focuses on five key pillars of cooperation:
- Maritime Safety and Security
- Countering Terrorism and Radicalisation
- Combating Trafficking and Transnational Organised Crime
- Cyber Security and Protection of Critical Infrastructure and Technology
- Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief
The simultaneous occurrence of these two significant events underscores the growing importance of regional security cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region and demonstrates India's proactive approach to strengthening defense partnerships with neighboring countries.
