Two years after its seventh edition was held at Foreign Training Node in Pune, the eighth edition of India-Sri Lanka bilateral joint exercise, Mitra Shakti, will be conducted at Combat Training School, Ampara in Sri Lanka from October 4 to 15, for 12 days.
The exercise aims to promote close relations between the armies of both countries and enhance inter-operability and sharing best practices in counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations.
Mitra Shakti’ which means ‘power of friendship’ is conducted under the United Nations (UN) mandate as both the armies contribute to the United National Peacekeeping Forces, which are deployed in troubled areas across the world.
An all-arms contingent of 120 personnel of the Indian Army is participating in the exercise along with a battalion of the Sri Lankan Army. “The exercise will involve tactical level operations at sub unit level in an international Counter Insurgency and Counter Terrorism environment and will go a long way in further strengthening the relationship between both the South Asian Nations and will act as a catalyst in bringing synergy and cooperation at grass root level between both Armies.” a press statement from the defence ministry said. (Indian Express)
by Daily News Sri Lanka
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