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India and Sri Lanka to Hold 11th ‘Mitra Shakti’ Military Exercise in Belagavi from Nov. 10–23

The training underscores a push to deepen defence cooperation by sharpening joint tactics for urban and semi‑urban contingencies.

Overview

  • India’s ADGPI announced the exercise on X, confirming the Foreign Training Node in Belagavi, Karnataka, as the host site.
  • Officials say the 2025 iteration focuses on interoperability for joint operations in built‑up and semi‑built terrain with an emphasis on regional security.
  • Reporting notes a planning framework oriented to counter‑insurgency tasks in a sub‑conventional scenario under a United Nations Chapter VII mandate.
  • The drill is held annually on a rotational basis between the two countries, with the 10th edition conducted in August 2024 at Maduru Oya in Sri Lanka.
  • Last year’s iteration featured a 106‑strong Indian contingent from the Rajputana Rifles and Sri Lanka’s Gajaba Regiment, with drills spanning heliborne missions, cordon‑and‑search, and drone and counter‑drone use.