Anti-terror ops focus of joint India, Lanka army exercise

India and Sri Lanka will soon hold a 14-day joint exercise in Pune focussing on anti-terror operations to achieve better military-to-military cooperation and inter-operability.
'Exercise Mitra Shakti' will be conducted after the arrival of the Sri Lankan contingent at Aundh Camp on September 29. This will be the third joint training exercise involving the two armies.
The aim of the joint training is to share best practices and promote healthy military-to-military ties between the two armies and develop joint strategies by sharing expertise in the conduct of operations, the army said in a statement here.
Forming part of different levels of military-to-military engagement across the entire spectrum of operations, the exercise will enrich the two contingents in further honing basic military skills, it added.

The exercise is planned for a duration of 14 days with the basic objective of enhancing confidence and trust between the two militaries, which are often called upon to engage in anti- terrorism operations, including in those under the UN mandate.
The holding of the joint military exercise is also an important step towards upholding peace, prosperity and stability in the region, the statement said, adding that senior military observers of both countries will attend the Final Tactical Exercise scheduled to be held at Aundh Military Station on October 10 and 11.
"Exercise Mitra Shakti-2015 will contribute immensely in developing mutual understanding and respect for each other's militaries," the statement said.