In News:

The Indian Army contingent has departed for Surat Thani, Thailand, to participate in the 15th edition of Exercise MAITREE-XV, the bilateral military exercise between the Indian Army and the Royal Thai Army.

About the Exercise:

• Exercise MAITREE aims to strengthen military cooperation, interoperability, mutual trust and camaraderie between India and Thailand.
• It was launched in 2006 as the Thai-Indian Cooperation Field Exercise (TICAFE) and was renamed MAITREE (“Friendship”) in 2013. The exercise is hosted alternately by the two countries. After a five-year gap following 2019, it resumed in 2024.
• The 2026 edition marks 20 years since the exercise was launched. Both countries are deploying 85 personnel each. The Indian contingent is represented mainly by 9 Gorkha Rifles, while Thailand is represented by the 3rd Battalion, 25th Infantry Brigade, 5th Division.
• The company-level exercise focuses on joint counter-insurgency (CI) and counter-terrorism (CT) operations in jungle and semi-urban/suburban terrain, conducted under Chapter VII of the UN Charter. Training will include field exercises, combat discussions, lectures, demonstrations, joint planning and tactical drills, culminating in a validation exercise.

In News:

The 14th edition of Exercise MAITREE-XIV, a joint military exercise between India and Thailand, commenced at the Joint Training Node (JTN), Umroi, Meghalaya.

Background

Instituted in 2006, Exercise MAITREE is a bilateral military exercise aimed at enhancing cooperation, interoperability, and mutual understanding between the Indian Army and the Royal Thai Army. The 13th edition was held at Fort Vachiraprakan, Tak Province, Thailand.

Key Features of MAITREE-XIV

• Participants:
  • Indian Army – 120 personnel, represented by a battalion of the Madras Regiment.
  • Royal Thai Army – 53 personnel from the 1st Infantry Battalion, 14th Infantry Brigade.
• Focus Area:
  • Company-level counter-terrorist operations in semi-urban terrain, in accordance with Chapter VII of the UN Charter.
  • Tactical drills, joint planning, special arms skills, physical fitness, and raiding operations.

Significance

• Reinforces bilateral defence cooperation and strengthens regional security architecture.
• Reflects the shared commitment of India and Thailand towards peace, stability, and counter-terrorism efforts.
• Enhances the operational synergy of both armies, particularly in addressing contemporary security challenges in the Indo-Pacific.