The annual India-Sri Lanka military manoeuvring, Exercise ‘Mitra Shakti’ is going-on with utmost rigour and valour. The Indian Army and the Sri Lankan Army is conducting the 11th edition of the exercise at Foreign Training Node in Belagavi, Karnataka. The exercise is scheduled from November 10 to 23. The bilateral military exercise aims to consolidate operational synergy and boost military capabilities of India and Ceylon especially to counter the emerging threats across urban and semi-urban terrains, Additional Directorate General of Public Information(ADGPI) of the Indian Army asserted. The Rajput regiment of the Indian Army is participating in the exercise.
The Army contingent of both the nations are exhibiting seamless coordination, operational efficiency and are successfully championing critical strategic drills in the urban and semi-urban terrains. The larger goal of the Exercise Mitra Shakti is to foster remarkable India-Ceylon military coordination to ensure regional peace and security in an era where the geopolitical landscape is emerging as extremely contentious with unpredictable challenges. The exercise also aims to champion the broader strategic partnership and mutual trust between New Delhi and Colombo beyond the defence relations.
Exercise #MitraShakti 2025 🇮🇳🤝🇱🇰
The 11th edition of the annual Indo-Sri Lanka Exercise Mitra Shakti with the #SriLankaArmy is going on in full swing at Foreign Training Node, Belagavi.
Both contingents are showcasing seamless coordination and operational proficiency while… pic.twitter.com/N8cpFEDDfh
— ADG PI – INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) November 19, 2025
Exercise Mitra Shakti, the joint military exercise between India and Sri Lanka is being conducted since 2012. It aims to enhance operational coordination, military preparedness and tactical synergy between the armies of India and Sri Lanka for counter-terrorism operations in the region and for other peacekeeping missions. For enhanced operational effectiveness, both India and Sri Lanka also feature drones and other Unmanned Aerial Vehicles(UAVs) during the exercise. Both sides are indulging in tactical military actions such as raid, search and destroy operations. Evacuations necessary during the counter-terrorism operations are also jointly rehearsed by the military wings of both India and Sri Lanka.
India and Sri Lanka are key players in the Indian Ocean Region(IOR) given their strategic location. Thus, military cooperation between both the nations are of pivotal importance to counter any emerging threats and restore regional peace, security and solidarity, thus ultimately championing balance of power in the region. In this direction, the military exercises help to deepen the defence cooperation. Apart from Exercise Mitra Shakti, the Indian Navy and the Sri Lankan Navy also undertake exercise ‘Slinex’ to boost maritime cooperation.
Apart from the defence exercises, India and Sri Lanka also have comprehensive defence cooperation strategy and a series of MoUs inked in this path. Sri Lanka is a key pillar in New Delhi’s MAHASAGAR vision, that stands for Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions. The vision document aims to bolster trade, connectivity, security and capacity building across the Indian Ocean Region(IOR) for the prosperity of every stakeholder. Sri Lanka, with its strategic location in the heart of the Indian Ocean is a pivotal partner for India in its maritime and larger geopolitical strategy.
