Overview - MITRA SHAKTI

- The 10th Edition of Exercise MITRA SHAKTI was recently conducted, marking another milestone in the defence ties between India and Sri Lanka. 

- Organised annually, Exercise MITRA SHAKTI involves counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations simulated in a semi-urban milieu.

- This bilateral exercise is not only the largest undertaken by the Sri Lankan Army but also stands as a manifestation of the growing defence partnership between India and Sri Lanka.

Exercise MITRA SHAKTI - An Emphasis on UN's Peacekeeping Dynamics 

- A crucial aspect of Exercise MITRA SHAKTI is its objective to incorporate the evolving dynamics of United Nations peacekeeping operations. 

- The exercise achieves this through a combination of tactical exercises and practical discussions that hone the abilities of both nations' military forces.

SLINEX - Another Dimension of the India-Sri Lanka Defense Partnership 

- It is worth noting that, besides Exercise MITRA SHAKTI, India also conducts the SLINEX (Navy) exercise with Sri Lanka further fostering the defence relations.

A Glimpse at Sri Lanka's Geographical and Economic Aspects 

- Sri Lanka, an island country situated in South Asia, lies in the Indian Ocean, to the southwest of the Bay of Bengal and southeast of the Arabian Sea.

- This island nation is separated from the Indian subcontinent by the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait while sharing maritime borders with India and the Maldives.

- India not only shares geographical proximity with Sri Lanka but also substantial economic ties. India ranks as Sri Lanka’s 3rd-largest export destination following the United States and the United Kingdom, benefitting over 60% of Sri Lankan exports under the India-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement.

India & Sri Lanka in the Regional Context 

- Apart from the bilateral relations and platforms, both India and Sri Lanka take part in the regional groupings such as the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) and the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).

This recent edition of Exercise MITRA SHAKTI is a testament to the robust defence partnership between India and Sri Lanka, emphasising their aim to foster peace and stability in the region and contributing to their economic and politico-diplomatic ties on a larger scale.