Indian troops head to Sri Lanka for two weeks of joint counter-terrorism training in Mitra Shakti

A 170-member Indian military contingent left for Sri Lanka on 13 November to take part in the 12th edition of Mitra Shakti, the annual exercise between the Indian and Sri Lankan armies. The drills run for 14 days, from 13 to 26 November, at the Army Training School in Maduru Oya, according to an Indian Ministry of Defence statement reported by DD India and The Times of India.

Most of the Indian troops come from a battalion of the Rajputana Rifles, joined by personnel from other arms and services and from the Indian Air Force, the ministry said. The Times of India noted that the Rajputana Rifles is one of the oldest infantry regiments in the Indian Army, with a history of more than 250 years, and that the regiment has taken part in Mitra Shakti before, including the 10th edition, which was held in Sri Lanka in August 2024.

The stated purpose of the exercise is to improve the ability of the two armies to carry out joint counter-terrorism operations in a semi-urban setting under a United Nations mandate. The Indian side described Mitra Shakti as a way for both forces to build interoperability, compare operational experience and share best practice in counter-terrorism work, while also building mutual understanding between the two contingents.

The two weeks of training are meant to raise physical fitness, sharpen tactical drills and improve coordination between the contingents. The programme includes joint planning, rehearsals of tactical operations and specialist combat skills such as roadblock operations, urban patrolling, protection of vehicle convoys, area ambushes, crowd dispersal and combined arms attacks on fortified positions.

The exercise is due to end with a full validation exercise, in which troops from both countries will jointly put into practice the tactics, techniques and procedures they rehearsed during the training period, according to the ministry statement.

The two countries take turns to host Mitra Shakti. The 11th edition was held in November 2025 in Belagavi, in the Indian state of Karnataka, The Economic Times reported at the time. On that occasion India sent 170 personnel drawn mainly from the Rajput Regiment, while Sri Lanka sent 135 personnel from its Gajaba Regiment, and 20 Indian Air Force and 10 Sri Lanka Air Force personnel also took part. The troops practised raids, search and destroy missions and heliborne operations, and the Indian Army said drones and counter-drone systems would be used alongside helicopters.

The statements released for this year's exercise did not give the size of the Sri Lankan contingent or say whether drones or helicopters would be involved this time.

The Indian government said the 2026 edition is expected to strengthen defence cooperation between India and Sri Lanka, reinforce the long-standing friendship and trust between the two countries and contribute to regional peace, stability and security. The Times of India added that exercises of this kind are intended to improve coordination between the two armed forces as well as deepen defence ties.