The exercise Mitra Shakti is to symbolize the unity between these two strong nations.
The Mitra Shakti is a joint military exercise between the armies of India and Sri Lanka. Also known as the India-Sri Lanka joint training exercise.
Mitra Shakti is a counter-insurgency and Counter-Terrorism training program for subunits. These operations take place in rural and urban environments under the United Nations (UN) mission.
The 7th edition of Exercise Mitra Shakti was held at the Foreign Training Node, located at Aundh Military Station in Pune, in December 2019. Each year, these exercises alternate between India and Sri Lanka.
Considering the Indian Ocean Region dynamics, officials said that the exercise is also essential from a defence diplomacy perspective. The Gemunu Watch infantry regiment of Sri Lanka and the Kumaon Regiment of the Indian Army were presented in the seventh edition.
The contingents also received training in perception management, information warfare and human rights and humanitarian law in addition to CI-CT operations in urban and rural environments.
This year’s eighth edition of the India-Sri Lanka bilateral joint exercise Mitra Shakti will be held at the Combat Training School in Ampara, Sri Lanka, from October 4 to 15.
As part of a United Nations (UN) mandate, Mitra Shakti refers to the ‘power of friendship’ that both armies contribute to the UN Peacekeeping Forces deployed in troubled areas worldwide. There exists a motivating and specific goal behind this exercise.
The Goal of the Exercise:
– The exercise aims to strengthen relations between the armies of India and Sri Lanka
– The objective is to improve interoperability and best practices in Counter-Insurgency and Counter-Terrorism operations
– This exercise will involve tactical operations at the sub-unit level in a counter-insurgency and counter-terror environment
– It will enhance the relationship between both nations in South Asia and be a catalyst in bringing synergy and cooperation at the grass-root level between Armies.
India-Sri Lanka relations:
The India-Sri Lanka Foundation was established in December 1998 as a government-to-government initiative that aims to strengthen scientific, technological, educational, and cultural cooperation through civil society exchanges and enhancing contacts between the two countries’ younger generations.
Despite many constraints and problems, Sri Lanka and India have successfully run democratic systems.
India and Sri Lanka have a rich history of intellectual, cultural, linguistic, and religious interaction. A decent relationship exists between the two countries.
There has been an increase in trade, investment, and cooperation in development, education, culture, and defence. Regular visits by high-level officials have marked the relationship between the two countries.
In recent years, the economy and commercial partnership between Sri Lanka and India have grown substantially.
There is a broad understanding between the two countries of major global issues. An armed conflict of nearly three decades between Sri Lankan forces and the LTTE ended in May 2009.
During the conflict, India supported the right of the Government of Sri Lanka to combat terrorist forces.
The Government of India is committed to a negotiated political resolution that will help all communities within a united Sri Lanka and is consistent with democratic principles, pluralism and human rights.
Since both countries have democratic systems, there is scope for broadening and deepening the relationship. Both India and Sri Lanka are proud, independent nations and neighbours in every sense of the word.
Besides sharing similar histories, both countries are identical in their cultures, cuisine, customs, Epics, religion, and traditions. To increase trade with Sri Lanka and make it more balanced, India is keen on boosting trade and investment.
However, Sri Lanka stands a promising potential as India’s top economic partner. Friendships between these two nations are considered profound and robust.
