Evaluate the role of bilateral counter-terrorism exercises in preparing Indian forces for UN-mandated multinational operations.

UN-mandated operations need contingents from different armies to act as one force, often under enforcement provisions. Bilateral counter-terrorism (CT) exercises like India–Sri Lanka MITRA SHAKTI rehearse this. Its 12th edition runs at Maduru Oya from 13–26 November 2026, with a UN-mandate scenario [1]. Their contribution is real but bounded.

Role: How Such Exercises Prepare Forces

• Mandate-specific scenarios: The 2025 edition rehearsed sub-conventional operations under Chapter VII of the UN Charter [2]. The 2026 edition practises semi-urban CT under a UN mandate [1].
• Interoperability: Joint planning, communication and shared TTPs (tactics, techniques and procedures) are tested in a final validation exercise [1]. Mixed-contingent missions need the same skills.
• Mission-relevant drills: These include road blocks, convoy protection, urban patrolling and crowd dispersal [1], plus cordon-and-search and securing helipads [3]. All are routine peacekeeping tasks.
• Technology: Drones, Counter-UAS and heliborne operations were used in 2025 [2]. They reflect modern battlefield threats.
• Jointness: IAF personnel are part of the 2026 Army contingent [1].
• Reciprocity: Venues alternate, and the 2025 contingents were balanced (170 Indian, 135 Sri Lankan) [2]. This builds trust with a fellow troop contributor.

Limitations

• Bilateral is not multinational: UN missions bring together many armies, languages and command chains. A two-army drill cannot fully simulate this.
• Mandate as label: Unless rules of engagement and International Humanitarian Law (IHL) compliance are formally assessed, the "UN mandate" stays a backdrop.
• Partner deployability: Sri Lankan peacekeepers deploy only after human-rights vetting, done jointly by the UN and Sri Lanka's Human Rights Commission [4]. Training together does not guarantee deploying together.
• Narrow scope: The focus on CT leaves out civilian protection, humanitarian and civil–military tasks, which are central to modern mandates.

Bilateral CT exercises therefore lay the tactical and doctrinal groundwork for UN operations: interoperability, mission-relevant skills and technology. They are a foundation, not a substitute for multinational readiness. The way forward is to score IHL and rules-of-engagement compliance in validation exercises, add disaster-relief and civilian-protection modules, and link bilateral drills to multilateral formats. That would give real substance to India's commitment to UN peacekeeping and to international peace and security.