Mitrashakti – VI between Indian and Sri Lanka to begin from Tuesday

The joint training exercise Mitrashakti – VI between Indian and Sri Lanka Army is being held from Tuesday at Diyatalawa in Sri Lanka.

An Indian contingent of 120 Army personnel, including 11 officers arrived on Monday to take part in the two-week long exercise.

The exercise is an annual event held in India and Sri Lanka alternatively.

Mitrashakti is one of the largest bilateral army to army exercises conducted in the region.

Based on the success of previous exercises, it has been recently upgraded from a platoon level engagement to a full Company level engagement.

The exercise is designed to enhance interoperability and mutual understanding between both the armies and build a relationship based on professional respect, personal bonding and extensive training interaction.

The exercise will help in building proficiency in tackling transnational terrorism, conduct of joint tactical operations and building combat skills.

It will also provide an ideal platform for sharing of each other’s experiences and learning from best practices being followed by both the armies.

This year, the scope of the exercise has been significantly increased wherein in addition to infantry based events, participation of personnel from artillery, engineers, signals, army medical corps and special forces will also take place.

The exercise would also involve sports fixtures and cultural events providing an opportunity for both armies to learn from each other, re-enforce shared values and to build individual bonds of friendship and camaraderie.