India-Seychelles LAMITIYE 2026 Exercise Begins

India–Seychelles Joint Military Exercise LAMITIYE 2026 Begins

Why in the News ?

The 11th edition of the India–Seychelles Joint Military Exercise “LAMITIYE 2026” is being held at the Seychelles Defence Academy. The exercise aims to enhance defence cooperation, interoperability, and joint operational preparedness between the Indian Armed Forces and the Seychelles Defence Forces.

India-Seychelles LAMITIYE 2026 Exercise Begins

Key Highlights of Exercise LAMITIYE 2026:

  • The 11th edition of Exercise LAMITIYE 2026 is currently being conducted at the Seychelles Defence Academy in the Indian Ocean island nation of Seychelles.
  • This edition marks the first tri-services format of the exercise, involving personnel from the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force, along with the Seychelles Defence Forces (SDF).
  • The joint exercise focuses on sub-conventional operations in semi-urban environments, an important area for modern military operations.
  • Defence personnel from both countries are participating in combat discussions, lectures, tactical demonstrations, and field drills.
  • The exercise aims to enhance coordination, interoperability, and mutual understanding between the two armed forces.

Objectives and Strategic Significance

  • Exercise LAMITIYE is designed to strengthen bilateral defence cooperation between India and Seychelles.
  • The programme includes exchange of military expertise, joint planning exercises, and operational drills to improve combined operational capability.
  • It also helps both forces share best practices in counter-terrorism and sub-conventional warfare operations.
  • The 13-day exercise contributes to greater maritime and regional security cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
  • Such engagements also reinforce India’s role as a security partner for island nations under its maritime diplomacy initiatives.

Understanding India–Seychelles Defence Cooperation:

●     Seychelles is an island nation located in the western Indian Ocean, strategically positioned near important maritime trade routes.

●     India and Seychelles maintain strong ties in areas such as maritime security, defence training, and capacity building.

●     India regularly assists Seychelles through defence equipment support, coastal surveillance systems, and joint military exercises.

●     The bilateral exercise LAMITIYE, meaning “friendship” in Creole, symbolises the close strategic partnership between the two countries.

●     Such cooperation aligns with India’s broader SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision, aimed at ensuring stability and security in the Indian Ocean Region.