Mitra Shakti 2025: Indo-Sri Lanka Drills Sharpen Urban Warfare Amid Regional Flux

The 11th Mitra Shakti exercise roared to life on November 10, 2025, at Belagavi’s Foreign Training Node, uniting 170 Indian (Rajput Regiment-led) and 135 Sri Lankan troops in a 14-day crucible of urban warfare and counter-insurgency. Under UN Chapter VII mandates, the drill—running till November 23—hones interoperability amid Sri Lanka’s pivot from China and India’s SAGAR vision.

Training Spectrum: From Raids to Drone Defense

Focus: Close-quarters battle (CQB), raids, heliborne ops, search-and-destroy in urban/semi-urban terrains, plus AMAR, reflex shooting, and yoga. Drones and counter-UAS systems feature prominently, reflecting hybrid threats post-Hanimaadhoo upgrades.

Broader Context: South Asian Alliances

Alternating annually, last year’s Maduru Oya edition built on counter-terror tactics; 2025 eyes Tejas exports. It counters regional flux, fostering peace via shared ops.

Outcomes: Synergy for Stability

Mitra Shakti fortifies bilateral bonds, projecting India’s leadership in South Asia’s security architecture.