Indian contingent leaves for the 12th edition of India–Sri Lanka Exercise MITRA SHAKTI at Maduru Oya

13 November 2026

A 170-member contingent of the Indian Defence Forces has left for Sri Lanka for MITRA SHAKTI 2026, the 12th edition of the joint military exercise between the two countries. The drill runs from 13 to 26 November 2026 at the Army Training School, Maduru Oya. Most Indian troops come from a battalion of the Rajputana Rifles, joined by personnel of the Indian Air Force. The focus is counter-terrorism operations in a semi-urban setting under a United Nations mandate. Training covers road blocks, urban patrolling, convoy protection, area ambush and crowd dispersal, ending in a joint validation exercise. MITRA SHAKTI is an annual bilateral exercise held in India and Sri Lanka by turns.