Exercise MITRA SHAKTI

20.11.2023

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Why in the news?

A joint military exercise, “Exercise MITRA SHAKTI-2023” is being conducted from November 16th to 29th, 2023, in Aundh (Pune).

About Exercise MITRA SHAKTI:

• It is a joint military exercise between India and the Sri Lankan army.
• This year is the ninth edition of the exercise.
• The Indian contingent, of 120 personnel, is being represented mainly by troops from the MARATHA LIGHT INFANTRY Regiment.
• Personnel from the Indian Air Force and the Sri Lankan Air Force are also participating in the exercise, which makes the ninth ‘Mitra Shakti' the first bilateral and bi-service exercise between the two countries.
• The aim of the exercise is to jointly rehearse the conduct of sub-conventional operations under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter.
• The scope of the exercise includes synergizing joint responses during counter-terrorist operations.
• In addition, Army Martial Arts Routine (AMAR), combat reflex shooting, and Yoga will also form part of the exercise curriculum.
• It will also involve the employment of Drones and Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems besides helicopters.
• Drills to secure helipads and undertake casualty evacuation during counter-terrorist operations will also be rehearsed jointly by both sides.
• Collective efforts will focus on achieving an enhanced level of interoperability amongst the troops and reducing the risk of life and property while keeping the interests and agenda of the UN at the forefront during peacekeeping operations.
• The exercise will also foster strong bilateral relations between the two neighbouring nations.

Bharat Sri Lanka relations

History

• Bharat and Sri Lanka have a legacy of intellectual, cultural, religious and linguistic interaction and the relationship between the two countries is more than 2500 years old.
• The nearly three-decade-long armed conflict between Sri Lankan forces and the LTTE came to an end in May 2009.
• During the course of the conflict, India supported the right of the Government of Sri Lanka to act against terrorist forces.
• At the same time, it conveyed its deep concern at the plight of the civilian population, emphasizing that their rights and welfare should not get enmeshed in hostilities against the LTTE.
• Sri Lanka is Bharat’s closest maritime neighbour and is strategically located in the Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal.
• As per its ‘Neighbourhood-First Policy’ and the ‘SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) Doctrine’, Bharat attaches great importance to Sri Lanka “to keep the Indian Ocean region peaceful and secure”.
• 70% of Indian cargo comes through the Colombo port, which is the largest trans-shipment port of South Asia.

Economic ties: Bharat is Sri Lanka’s third largest export destination, after the US and UK. More than 60% of Sri Lanka’s exports enjoy the benefits of the India-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement. Bharat is also a major investor in Sri Lanka.

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from India amounted to around USD 1.7 billion over the years from 2005 to 2019.

Defense: Bharat and Sri Lanka conduct joint Military (Mitra Shakti) and Naval exercise (SLINEX).

Participation in Groupings: Sri Lanka is also a member of groupings like BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) and SAARC in which Bharat plays a leading role.

                                                                              Source:PIB