India-Thailand Joint Military Exercise 'Maitree' Underway In Meghalaya

India-Thailand Joint Military Exercise 'Maitree' Underway In Meghalaya

Soldiers participating in the 14th edition of the India-Thailand joint military Exercise MAITREE-XIV

New Delhi:

Military contingents from India and Thailand are currently engaged in a two-week joint exercise in Meghalaya, focusing on company-level counter-terrorism operations in semi-urban environments under United Nations Charter guidelines, officials announced on Tuesday.

The exercise will conclude with an intensive 48-hour validation phase that will simulate realistic operational scenarios, according to military officials.

The 14th iteration of the 'Maitree' military exercise is being conducted at the Joint Training Node (JTN) in Umroi, Meghalaya, spanning from September 1 to September 14.

A formal opening ceremony was conducted on Tuesday, as stated in a defence ministry release.

This bilateral training initiative, established in 2006, forms part of the ongoing military exchange program between the two nations and aims to strengthen cooperation, enhance interoperability, and foster mutual understanding between the Indian Army and Royal Thai Army forces.

The Indian contingent comprises 120 personnel from a battalion of the Madras Regiment, while Thailand has deployed 53 personnel from the 1st Infantry Battalion of the 14th Infantry Brigade for the exercise.

The collaborative training will emphasize company-level counter-terrorist operations in semi-urban terrain under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, according to the official statement.

The comprehensive two-week program includes tactical exercises, collaborative planning sessions, specialized weapons training, physical fitness activities, and raiding operation drills, the ministry detailed.

The previous edition of this exercise was hosted at Fort Vachiraprakan in Thailand's Tak Province.