UPSC Current Affairs
EXERCISE MITRA SHAKTI
The 11th edition of Exercise MITRA SHAKTI between India and Sri Lanka began on 10 November 2025. It is being held at the Foreign Training Node, Belagavi, Karnataka. The exercise will continue till 23 November 2025.
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The 11th edition of Exercise MITRA SHAKTI between India and Sri Lanka began on 10 November 2025. It is being held at the Foreign Training Node, Belagavi, Karnataka. The exercise will continue till 23 November 2025.
What happened?
- The 11th edition of Exercise MITRA SHAKTI between India and Sri Lanka began on 10 November 2025.
- It is being held at the Foreign Training Node, Belagavi, Karnataka.
- The exercise will continue till 23 November 2025.
WHO IS PARTICIPATING?
India
- 170 Army personnel, mainly from the RAJPUT Regiment
- 20 Indian Air Force personnel
Sri Lanka
- 135 Army personnel, mainly from the GAJABA Regiment
- 10 Sri Lankan Air Force personnel
AIM OF THE EXERCISE
- To train together for Sub-Conventional Operations under Chapter VII of the UN Mandate. (Sub-conventional operations = actions below the level of full-scale war, such as counter-terrorism.)
- To improve joint response to counter-terrorist situations.
WHAT WILL BOTH ARMIES PRACTICE?
Operational Drills
- Raids
- Search and destroy missions
- Heliborne operations (soldiers inserted/extracted by helicopter)
- Use of drones and counter-drone systems
- Securing helipads
- Casualty evacuation during operations
Skill & Fitness Activities
- Army Martial Arts Routine (AMAR)
- Combat reflex shooting
- Yoga
WHY IS THIS EXERCISE IMPORTANT?
1. Enhancing Interoperability
- Helps soldiers of both countries learn how to operate smoothly and effectively together.
- Reduces risks to life and property during peacekeeping and counter-terror operations.
2. Supporting UN Peacekeeping
- Since both nations contribute to UN peace missions, the exercise focuses on working together under UN guidelines.
3. Defence Cooperation
- Both sides exchange:
- Best practices
- Techniques
- Tactical knowledge
- Strengthens military ties between India and Sri Lanka.
4. Strengthening Bilateral Relations
- Regular joint exercises build trust and friendship between neighbouring nations.
- Prelims: Key facts, institutions, locations and terminology in the article.
- Mains: Connect the topic with Economy, International Relations, Defence.
- Revision: Use the article headings to prepare concise notes and answer-writing points.
Test your understanding
Questions from this article
Prelims practiceWith reference to EXERCISE MITRA SHAKTI, consider the following statements:
- The 11th edition of Exercise MITRA SHAKTI between India and Sri Lanka began on 10 November 2025.
- It is being held at the Foreign Training Node, Belagavi, Karnataka.
- The exercise will continue till 23 November 2025.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
View answer
Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3. All three statements are drawn from the article.
Mains practiceDiscuss the background, key issues and significance of EXERCISE MITRA SHAKTI for India.
Answer in 250 words.
View answer approach
- What happened?
- WHO IS PARTICIPATING?
- AIM OF THE EXERCISE
- WHAT WILL BOTH ARMIES PRACTICE?
- WHY IS THIS EXERCISE IMPORTANT?
Frequently asked questionsFrequently asked questions
Why is Exercise Mitra Shakti in the news?
The 11th edition of Exercise MITRA SHAKTI between India and Sri Lanka began on 10 November 2025. It is being held at the Foreign Training Node, Belagavi, Karnataka.
What are the key facts about Exercise Mitra Shakti?
The exercise will continue till 23 November 2025. India 170 Army personnel, mainly from the RAJPUT Regiment 20 Indian Air Force personnel Sri Lanka 135 Army personnel, mainly from the GAJABA Regiment 10 Sri Lankan Air Force personnel AIM OF THE EXERCISE To train together for Sub-Conventional Operations under… (Sub-conventional operations = actions below the level of full-scale war, such as counter-terrorism.) To improve joint response to counter-terrorist situations.
Why is Exercise Mitra Shakti important for UPSC preparation?
The topic connects current developments with Economy, International Relations, Defence and is relevant for both objective revision and analytical answer writing.