India, Sri Lanka begin Mitra Shakti 2026 with focus on joint counterterrorism operations
India-Sri Lanka Exercise Mitra Shakti 2026. (Image courtesy: pib.gov.in)
New Delhi: India and Sri Lanka are conducting the 12th edition of their joint military exercise, Mitra Shakti 2026, at the Army Training School in Maduru Oya, Sri Lanka, from November 13 to 26. The 14-day engagement involves a 170-member Indian contingent drawn mainly from a Rajputana Rifles battalion, alongside personnel from other arms and services and the Indian Air Force.
The Ministry of Defence said the Indian contingent departed for Sri Lanka on Friday. The exercise aims to improve the two armies’ ability to conduct coordinated counterterrorism operations in semi-urban areas under a United Nations mandate.
What will troops practice during Mitra Shakti 2026?
The training programme covers joint planning, roadblock operations, urban patrolling, convoy protection, area ambushes, crowd dispersal and combined arms operations against fortified positions.
Troops will also undertake physical conditioning and specialized combat drills before a final validation exercise tests how effectively they can apply the procedures learned.
These activities help the two contingents develop common approaches to complex security situations. Convoy protection, for example, requires coordination between vehicles and troops, while urban patrolling tests communication and decision-making in built-up areas.
Why interoperability matters
Interoperability is the ability of forces from different countries to plan, communicate and operate together. Joint training allows Indian and Sri Lankan personnel to compare procedures, learn from one another’s operational experience and identify coordination problems before undertaking cooperative missions.
The exercise also prepares troops for sub-conventional operations, including counterterrorism missions below the threshold of conventional warfare.
Previous editions incorporated scenarios under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, which allows the security council to authorize enforcement measures addressing threats to international peace and security. This year’s defence ministry announcement refers to a UN mandate without specifying a chapter.
Strengthening India-Sri Lanka defence cooperation
Mitra Shakti, which means “Power of Friendship”, began in 2012 and alternates between India and Sri Lanka.
The 10th edition took place at Maduru Oya in August 2024, while the 11th was held in Belagavi, Karnataka, in November 2025.
The exercise complements military exchanges, training visits and Slinex a separate bilateral naval exercise. India and Sri Lanka also signed a defence cooperation memorandum of understanding in April 2025.
For the two Indian Ocean neighbours, the training is intended to strengthen mutual understanding and practical military cooperation. The final validation exercise will provide a test of the joint skills developed over the fortnight.
