India and Myanmar open the maiden Tri-Services HADR exercise RAHAT MITRA at Chennai

5 November 2026

India and Myanmar began, at Chennai, their maiden bilateral exercise in Tri-Services Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), named RAHAT MITRA. The exercise ran on two days and carried the theme Together for Humanity, Stronger through Partnership. It brought together more than 300 personnel drawn from all three services of both countries. Coordinated under the aegis of the Indian Navy, the exercise was built around professional exchanges and shared disaster response drills. The aim stated by the Ministry of Defence is better interoperability in relief operations and greater mutual trust. India placed the exercise within its Neighbourhood First policy and the MAHASAGAR vision.