India and Sri Lanka Begin MITRA SHAKTI 2026

The 12th edition of the India–Sri Lanka joint military exercise MITRA SHAKTI 2026 began on 13 November at the Army Training School in Maduru Oya, Sri Lanka. It is scheduled to run for 14 days, until 26 November.

Contingent and objectives

A 170-member Indian contingent, primarily drawn from a battalion of the Rajputana Rifles, departed for Sri Lanka on 13 November. It also includes personnel from other arms and services and the Indian Air Force. The exercise aims to strengthen the joint operational capabilities of both armies for counter-terrorism operations in a semi-urban environment under a United Nations mandate.

Training and exercise format

Training covers joint operational planning and tactical drills, including urban patrolling, vehicle convoy protection, area ambushes, crowd dispersal and combined-arms operations against fortified positions. The exercise will conclude with a joint validation exercise in which troops from both countries demonstrate operational tactics and procedures. MITRA SHAKTI is an annual bilateral exercise held alternately in India and Sri Lanka.

Important Facts for Exams

• Regimental lineage: The Rajputana Rifles’ six-battalion formation arose from a 1921 reorganisation that combined six earlier regiments.
• UN deployments: The Rajputana Rifles contributed to India’s Custodian Force in Korea under UN auspices in 1953–54 and to the UN Mission to the Congo in 1962.
• Peacekeeping principles: UN peacekeeping rests on consent of the parties, impartiality, and non-use of force except in self-defence or defence of the mandate.
• Security Council authority: UN peacekeeping operations are established by Security Council resolutions; Chapter VII wording can authorise force to protect civilians or implement a mandate.