A 170-member Indian Defence Forces contingent departed for Sri Lanka on Friday, November 13, to take part in the 12th edition of the India–Sri Lanka joint military exercise Mitra Shakti 2026, the Ministry of Defence said. The exercise runs from November 13 to 26 at the Army Training School in Maduru Oya, Sri Lanka.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Defence, via LearnThruPractice

The Indian contingent is drawn mainly from a battalion of the Rajputana Rifles, along with troops from other arms and services and personnel from the Indian Air Force.

Source: PIB release via Business100 News

170Indian personnel in the contingent
12thEdition of Mitra Shakti
13–26 NovExercise dates at Maduru Oya

The exercise aims to enhance the joint capability of both armies to conduct counter-terrorism operations in a semi-urban environment under a United Nations mandate, the ministry said. Drills include road blocks, urban patrolling, convoy protection, area ambush and crowd dispersal, alongside work on physical fitness, tactical drills and coordination between the two contingents.

Mitra Shakti is an annual bilateral exercise held alternately in India and Sri Lanka. The 11th edition was held in Belagavi, Karnataka, in November 2025, where India fielded troops drawn mainly from the Rajput Regiment; this year's turn in Sri Lanka puts the Rajputana Rifles at the head of the Indian contingent.