Mitra Shakti XII: Indian Army contingent arrives in Sri Lanka for joint military exercise
Synopsis
India and Sri Lanka have launched the 12th edition of Mitra Shakti, their flagship bilateral military exercise, with 169 Indian troops from the Rajputana Rifles arriving at Mattala Airport on 13 November. Running until 26 November at Maduru Oya, the drill zeroes in on battalion-level counter-insurgency operations — a signal of deepening defence ties as India advances its Neighbourhood First strategy in the Indian Ocean Region.
Key Takeaways
An Indian Armed Forces contingent arrived in Sri Lanka on 13 November 2026 for Mitra Shakti XII - 2026 , the 12th edition of the bilateral military exercise.
The exercise runs from 13 to 26 November 2026 at Maduru Oya, Sri Lanka .
The Indian contingent fields 19 officers and 150 other ranks from the Rajputana Rifles Regiment , led by Lt Col Anirudh Mangotra .
Sri Lanka fields 17 officers and 153 other ranks ; troops landed at Mattala Airport .
Training covers counter-terrorism, urban patrolling, convoy protection, crowd dispersal, and combined arms operations under a UN mandate .
The 11th edition was held in Belagavi, Karnataka in November 2025 ; this year Sri Lanka hosts the exercise.
An Indian Armed Forces contingent touched down in Sri Lanka on 13 November 2026 to participate in the 12th edition of the bilateral military exercise 'Mitra Shakti XII - 2026', scheduled to run from 13 to 26 November at Maduru Oya. The High Commission of India in Colombo confirmed the arrival, describing the exercise as a keystone event for strengthening operational synergy, interoperability, and mutual trust between the two nations' armed forces.
Arrival and Welcome Ceremony
The Indian Army contingent landed at Mattala Airport, where personnel were received by Colonel N.N. Abeysekara, Logistics Commander of the exercise, and Lieutenant Colonel Mandeep Singh Negi, Assistant Defence Advisor at the High Commission of India in Colombo. The Indian contingent comprises 19 officers and 150 other ranks drawn from the storied Rajputana Rifles Regiment, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Anirudh Mangotra. The Sri Lankan side will field 17 officers and 153 other ranks.
What the Exercise Will Cover
This year's training programme places particular emphasis on Battalion-Level Combat Team Tactical Operations in a counter-insurgency environment, integrating air support and other combat elements. According to the Ministry of Defence (MoD), the curriculum will include road block operations, urban patrolling, vehicle convoy protection, area ambush, crowd dispersal, and combined arms operations against fortified positions.
The High Commission stated that the exercise 'will enhance joint capability of the two countries to conduct counter-terrorism and sub-conventional operations in semi-urban environment.' Both armies will also exchange tactical expertise and refine battlefield interoperability — competencies that align with United Nations peacekeeping mandates under which both countries operate globally.
Strategic Significance
Mitra Shakti is one of the most visible pillars of the India-Sri Lanka defence partnership, reflecting the two nations' shared commitment to regional peace and stability in the Indian Ocean Region. This comes amid India's broader 'Neighbourhood First' policy, which prioritises deepening security ties with South Asian neighbours. The annual exercise also carries soft-power value, building personal bonds between officers that outlast formal diplomatic cycles.
Notably, last year's 11th edition of Exercise Mitra Shakti was held in Belagavi, Karnataka, from 10 to 23 November 2025 — meaning this year's iteration shifts the venue to Sri Lanka, alternating the host nation as per the established bilateral format.
Outlook
With both contingents in place and training set to run through 26 November, defence observers will watch whether this edition expands beyond traditional counter-insurgency drills into newer domains such as drone operations or cyber-physical battlefield coordination — areas that have gained prominence in joint exercises globally. The outcome is expected to reinforce the defence architecture underpinning India's maritime neighbourhood strategy.
Point of View
Yet each edition still draws attention precisely because India-Sri Lanka defence relations remain more politically sensitive than the military communiqués suggest. Colombo's historically careful balancing act between New Delhi and Beijing means that the annual alternation of host nations, the troop numbers, and the stated mandates are all read as diplomatic signals. This year's focus on battalion-level counter-insurgency and UN-mandate framing is calibrated — it positions the exercise as multilaterally legitimate rather than bilaterally assertive, which suits both sides. The real test of deepening interoperability, however, lies in whether joint doctrine translates into actual coordination during regional crises, not just choreographed drills.
NationPress
14 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Exercise Mitra Shakti XII?
Mitra Shakti XII is the 12th edition of the annual India-Sri Lanka joint military exercise, scheduled from 13 to 26 November 2026 at the Army Training School in Maduru Oya, Sri Lanka. It focuses on counter-terrorism, sub-conventional operations, and battalion-level tactical drills under a UN mandate.
How many troops are participating in Mitra Shakti 2026?
India is fielding 19 officers and 150 other ranks from the Rajputana Rifles Regiment, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Anirudh Mangotra. Sri Lanka is contributing 17 officers and 153 other ranks, bringing total combined strength to over 330 personnel.
Where was the previous edition of Mitra Shakti held?
The 11th edition of Exercise Mitra Shakti was held in Belagavi, Karnataka, from 10 to 23 November 2025. The exercise alternates between India and Sri Lanka as host nations each year.
What skills will the two armies train on during Mitra Shakti XII?
The training curriculum includes joint planning, road block operations, urban patrolling, vehicle convoy protection, area ambush, crowd dispersal, and combined arms operations against fortified positions. Air support integration is also a key component this year.
Why does Mitra Shakti matter for India-Sri Lanka relations?
Mitra Shakti is a cornerstone of bilateral defence cooperation, reinforcing India's Neighbourhood First policy and building operational interoperability between the two armies for counter-terrorism and UN peacekeeping scenarios. It also strengthens personal bonds between military officers, which complement formal diplomatic ties.
