Picture two armies training side by side, one in Indian olive green, the other in Sri Lankan colours. They rehearse the same drill: hunting a hidden threat on unfamiliar ground. That is Exercise Mitra Shakti.
Five questions guide this page. What is Mitra Shakti? Why was 2023 special? How did 2024 and 2025 go? Is every Shakti the same? And what is new in India–Sri Lanka defence ties?
Sub-conventional: Fighting below full war, like terrorism and insurgency.
Bi-service: Two services, such as Army and Air Force, train together.
Interoperability: Forces able to work together smoothly.
Defence diplomacy: Using military ties to build friendships.
1What is Exercise Mitra Shakti?
Picture two armies training side by side. One wears Indian olive green. The other wears Sri Lankan colours. They practise the same drill, hunting hidden threats in unfamiliar ground.
This is Exercise Mitra Shakti. It is an annual joint army exercise between India and Sri Lanka. The host alternates each year.
It is not an exercise with Bangladesh. This mix-up is a favourite exam trap.
Its focus is counter-terrorism. It rehearses sub-conventional operations under Chapter VII of the UN Charter. (Source: PIB)
Sources differ on the start. Most say 2012 or 2013. By 2025 it had reached its 11th edition.
Think it through: Why alternate the host each year?
Each army trains on the other’s terrain. That builds trust and real experience.
- Partners: India and Sri Lanka.
- Type: annual, host alternates.
- Focus: counter-terrorism, sub-conventional.
- Framework: UN Charter, Chapter VII.
True or False: Mitra Shakti is a joint exercise between India and Bangladesh.
2What made the 2023 edition special?
The ninth edition began on 16 November 2023 at Aundh, Pune. It ran until 29 November. (Source: DD News)
This was the first bi-service edition. For the first time, the two Air Forces joined the two Armies.
India sent 120 soldiers from the Maratha Light Infantry and 15 air warriors. Sri Lanka sent troops from its 53 Infantry Division and five Air Force personnel.
They practised raids, search-and-destroy missions and heliborne operations. A key goal was joint responses in counter-terrorist operations.
- 9th edition: Aundh (Pune), 16–29 Nov 2023.
- First bi-service edition.
- Indian unit: Maratha Light Infantry.
- Sri Lankan unit: 53 Infantry Division.
True or False: Mitra Shakti-2023 began at Aundh, Pune.
3How did the 10th and 11th editions go?
The tenth edition moved to Sri Lanka. It ran at the Army Training School, Maduru Oya, from 12 to 25 August 2024. India sent 106 personnel, mainly from the Rajputana Rifles. (Source: PIB)
The eleventh edition came back to India. It ran at the Foreign Training Node, Belagavi, Karnataka, from 10 to 23 November 2025. (Source: PIB)
India fielded 170 personnel, mainly from the RAJPUT Regiment. Sri Lanka sent 135, mainly from the GAJABA Regiment. Each side added air force personnel too.
This time the drills included drones and counter-drone systems. Troops also rehearsed securing helipads and casualty evacuation.
- 10th: Maduru Oya, Sri Lanka, Aug 2024.
- 11th: Belagavi, Karnataka, Nov 2025.
- New in 2025: drones and counter-UAS.
True or False: The 11th edition was held in Sri Lanka.
4Is every “Shakti” exercise the same?
India names several drills with “Shakti”. But the partner changes.
- Mitra Shakti: Sri Lanka (army).
- Shakti: France.
- Garuda Shakti: Indonesia.
- Harimau Shakti: Malaysia.
The navy has its own exercise with Sri Lanka, called SLINEX. It began in 2005. SLINEX-26, the 13th edition, ran from 17 to 21 September 2026 at Visakhapatnam. (Source: Hans India)
True or False: SLINEX is the India–Sri Lanka naval exercise.
5What else is happening in India–Sri Lanka defence ties?
In September 2026, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited Colombo. He met President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. (Source: Newswire.lk)
It was the first such visit by an Indian Defence Minister since K.C. Pant in 1988.
Three MoUs were exchanged. They cover the upgrade of L70 guns for the Sri Lankan Air Force, and ties between the two countries’ NCCs and National Defence Colleges.
- Visit: September 2026.
- Last such visit: K.C. Pant, 1988.
- MoUs: L70 guns, NCC, National Defence Colleges.
True or False: Rajnath Singh’s visit was the first by an Indian Defence Minister to Sri Lanka ever.
6What are the exam traps?
- Mitra Shakti = Sri Lanka, not Bangladesh.
- Army = Mitra Shakti. Navy = SLINEX.
- 2023 edition = first bi-service, at Aundh.
- Not every “Shakti” is Sri Lankan. Garuda Shakti is Indonesia.
- Nomadic Elephant = Mongolia. Maitree = Thailand.
MCQ on Exercise Mitra Shakti: India–Sri Lanka Joint Military Exercise
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