India–Thailand Joint Military Exercise Maitree-XIV Underway in Meghalaya

The India–Thailand Joint Military Exercise, Exercise Maitree-XIV, is underway at Umroi, Meghalaya, in full swing, bringing together contingents from the Indian Army and the Royal Thai Army, intending to enhance interoperability, mutual understanding, and joint operational capabilities under the umbrella of the United Nations mandate.

Divulging details of the ongoing exercise, the army spokesperson stated that the exercise will culminate on 14 September. “It is a testament to the strong defence cooperation and enduring strategic partnership between the two nations,” the spokesperson added.

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Both the contingents have been training side by side, sharing operational experiences and learning from each other’s drills and procedures. Over the past days, the troops participating in Exercise Maitree-XIV have been engaging in rigorous sessions focused on combat conditioning to build physical endurance and battle preparedness, while also gaining orientation on the weapons, equipment, and operational practices of an Indian Army infantry battalion.

Close combat techniques have been honed through specialised martial arts routines, and the contingents have worked jointly on cordon and search operations in semi-urban terrain, as well as search and destroy missions aimed at neutralising terrorist threats.

The exercise has also incorporated advanced firing practices, including ambidextrous firing and precision sniper training, alongside specialised slithering drills for rapid insertion and extraction during high-risk missions.

Complex scenarios such as bus intervention and hostage rescue, as well as room intervention drills to eliminate threats and secure confined spaces, have been conducted to simulate real-world counter-terrorism operations. In addition, troops have undergone intensive rock craft training to enhance their skills in climbing and tactical movement across rugged terrain, while jungle survival drills have been practiced to ensure effective operations in challenging environments.

Beyond tactical training, the exercise included sports activities designed to foster camaraderie, teamwork, and mutual respect between the two armies. Throughout the exercise, interoperability drills have been integrated to combine all acquired skills into cohesive joint operations, demonstrating the ability of both contingents to operate seamlessly together in diverse operational scenarios, the statement added.