Exercise MAITREE-XIV

The 14th edition of Exercise MAITREE commenced on 1 September 2025 at the Joint Training Node in Umroi, Meghalaya, and will continue until 14 September 2025. This bilateral exercise between India and Thailand aims to enhance cooperation, interoperability, and mutual understanding between the Indian Army and the Royal Thai Army, reflecting the growing defence collaboration in the Indo-Pacific region.

Background

• Initiated in 2006, Exercise MAITREE serves as a key military-to-military exchange programme.
• It promotes joint tactical capabilities, trust-building, and regional security cooperation.
• Focus areas include counter-terrorism operations and responses to regional security challenges.
• Both nations emphasise peace, stability, and security in South and Southeast Asia.

Participating Forces

• India:
• Battalion from the Madras Regiment (120 personnel).
• Expertise in counter-insurgency and jungle warfare.
• Thailand:
• 53 personnel from the 1st Infantry Battalion, 14th Infantry Brigade.
• Specialisation in light infantry tactics and internal security operations.

Training Focus and Activities

• The exercise centres on company-level counter-terrorist operations in semi-urban terrain.
• Conducted under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, enabling collective action to maintain peace.
• Key activities include:
• Joint tactical drills
• Weapons handling and marksmanship
• Planning counter-insurgency operations
• Physical fitness training
• Raiding exercises
• The exercise concludes with a 48-hour validation exercise, simulating realistic operational scenarios.

Strategic Importance

• Exercise MAITREE strengthens India-Thailand defence ties amid geopolitical tensions in the Indo-Pacific.
• Enhances operational interoperability and readiness against evolving threats.
• Operates on a rotational format, alternating venues between the two countries.
• The previous edition (2023) was held at Fort Vachiraprakan, Thailand, underlining continuity in bilateral defence cooperation.

Regional Security and Defence Cooperation

• Contributes to regional peace and security frameworks.
• Supports collaborative defence readiness against terrorism and non-traditional security threats.
• India-Thailand partnership is crucial for Indo-Pacific stability.
• Exercise MAITREE exemplifies military diplomacy and strategic engagement, reflecting deepening bilateral and regional defence ties.