Exercise Mitra Shakti 2025: 11th Edition Of India, Sri Lanka Joint Army Drills Kicks Off In Belagavi
Exercise Mitra Shakti 2025 aims to enhance the operational synergy between the two armies. Image courtesy: X.com/@adgpi
In a significant step towards reinforcing regional defence cooperation, the 11th edition of the Indo-Sri Lankan joint military exercise ‘Mitra Shakti’ is being held from Monday, November 10, 2025, to Sunday, November 23, 2025, at the Foreign Training Node in Belagavi, Karnataka.
Aim of the joint drills is to enhance joint military capability of both sides to undertake counter insurgency operations in a Sub Conventional scenario under Chapter VII of the United Nations Mandate. The exercise will focus on operations in the semi-urban environment.
The Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADGPI) of the Indian Army on Saturday (November 8, 2025) stated that the Mitra Shakti 2025 exercise underscores the long-standing military camaraderie between India and Sri Lanka, symbolising their shared commitment to regional stability, peace, and counter-terrorism preparedness.
What is Exercise Mitra Shakti?
‘Mitra Shakti’, meaning Power of Friendship, is an annual bilateral military exercise conducted alternately in India and Sri Lanka. It serves as a platform for both armies to train together, exchange tactical knowledge, and enhance interoperability for joint operations in urban and semi-urban terrains.
According to the ADGPI, the 2025 edition aims to “enhance operational synergy between the Indian and Sri Lankan armies in conducting joint operations across varied terrain conditions.”
Why the 2025 edition matters for regional security?
At a time when the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) continues to be a theatre of strategic contestation, Mitra Shakti 2025 carries deep geopolitical significance. The exercise highlights the growing defence cooperation between India and Sri Lanka, two crucial maritime neighbours whose collaboration is central to ensuring peace, security, and stability in the region.
The ADGPI emphasised that this joint initiative reaffirms the mutual trust and strategic partnership that form the cornerstone of India-Sri Lanka defence ties.
The exercise offers both armies a realistic training environment to practice counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations, with an emphasis on coordination, communication, and operational integration.
During last year’s edition at Maduru Oya, Sri Lanka, the Indian contingent, comprising 106 personnel from the Rajputana Rifles and other arms and services, trained alongside the Gajaba Regiment of the Sri Lankan Army. The collaboration proved invaluable in refining tactical approaches and sharing best practices in modern warfare scenarios.
Exercise Mitra Shakti: Shared learning and strategic synergy
Since its inception, Mitra Shakti has evolved into a cornerstone of India-Sri Lanka defence cooperation, reflecting the two nations’ shared strategic vision. Beyond military training, it fosters people-to-people connect, mutual respect, and operational confidence, which are some vital elements in addressing emerging regional challenges together.
As the 2025 edition unfolds in Belagavi, it not only strengthens military interoperability but also reinforces India’s neighbourhood-first policy and its role as a net security provider in the Indian Ocean Region.
