Context
The 8th Edition of joint military exercise between the Indian Army and the Sri Lankan Army, Exercise MITRA SHAKTI was conducted at Combat Training School, Ampara in Sri Lanka.
What is Mitra Shakti?
- It is the largest bilateral exercise being undertaken by the Sri Lankan Army and it forms a major part of India and Sri Lanka’s growing defence partnership.
- The joint exercise is designed for incorporating the current dynamics of the United Nations' peacekeeping operations through tactical exercises and practical discussions.
- Mitra Shakti, which translates to ‘power of friendship’, is carried out under a United Nations (UN) mandate as both the armies contribute to the United Nations Peacekeeping Forces, which are deployed in troubled areas across the world.
Key-highlights of the 8th Edition
- An all-arms contingent of 120 personnel of the Indian Army participated in the exercise along with a battalion of the Sri Lankan Army.
- The exercise involved tactical level operations at sub-unit level in an international Counter Insurgency and Counter Terrorism environment.
