UPSC Prelims 2024 Q82: Exercise Mitra Shakti-2023 — Explained
Which of the following statements about 'Exercise Mitra Shakti-2023' are correct?
1. This was a joint military exercise between India and Bangladesh.
2. It commenced in Aundh (Pune).
3. Joint response during counter-terrorism operations was a goal of this operation.
4. Indian Air Force was a part of this exercise.
Select the answer using the code given below:
- 1, 2 and 3
- 1, 2 and 4
- 1, 3 and 4
- 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (d) 2, 3 and 4
Statement-wise explanation
- 1: incorrect — Mitra Shakti is the joint military exercise between the Indian Army and the Sri Lankan Army, not Bangladesh. India's army exercise with Bangladesh is Sampriti. The 2023 edition was the ninth Mitra Shakti, and the Sri Lankan side came from its 53 Infantry Division.
- 2: correct — The ninth edition began on 16 November 2023 at the Foreign Training Node in Aundh, Pune, under the Army's Southern Command. It ran until 29 November 2023 and ended at the same place.
- 3: correct — The exercise rehearsed sub-conventional operations under Chapter VII of the UN Charter. Its stated scope included joint responses during counter-terrorist operations. Troops practised raids, search-and-destroy missions and heliborne operations, with drones and counter-drone systems also used.
- 4: correct — The exercise was mainly between the two armies, but it included air elements. About 15 Indian Air Force personnel and 5 Sri Lanka Air Force personnel took part alongside the Indian Army's 120-strong contingent, drawn mainly from the Maratha Light Infantry. Helicopters were used for the heliborne drills.
How to eliminate
Statement 1 settles this question. If you remember that Mitra Shakti is the India–Sri Lanka army exercise, Statement 1 is wrong. Only one option leaves Statement 1 out, so you have the answer without checking the other three statements. If you do not know the partner country, very little else helps. Statement 3 sounds safe because almost every Indian bilateral army exercise is built around counter-terrorism or counter-insurgency. Statements 2 and 4 are detail traps that need recall. Statement 4 catches people who assume an 'Army' exercise has no Air Force role. Remember this pair: Mitra Shakti = India + Sri Lanka (Army). The Bangladesh army exercise is Sampriti.
Know more
Bilateral military exercises are a regular part of India's defence diplomacy. UPSC usually tests them by asking you to match the exercise with its partner country. Sometimes it also asks about the venue, the service involved or the theme.
Mitra Shakti is a recurring exercise between the Indian Army and the Sri Lankan Army. Editions alternate between the two countries:
| Edition | Year | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 8th | Oct 2021 | Combat Training School, Ampara (Sri Lanka) |
| 9th | Nov 2023 | Foreign Training Node, Aundh, Pune (India) |
| 10th | Aug 2024 | Army Training School, Maduru Oya (Sri Lanka) |
The theme is counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism in semi-urban terrain. Since 2023 it has been framed as sub-conventional operations under Chapter VII of the UN Charter. Chapter VII lets the UN Security Council authorise action against threats to peace, which is the legal basis for peace-enforcement missions.
India's main exercises with its neighbours
| Partner | Army | Navy |
|---|---|---|
| Sri Lanka | Mitra Shakti | SLINEX |
| Bangladesh | Sampriti | Bongosagar |
| Nepal | Surya Kiran | — |
| Maldives | Ekuverin | — |
| Myanmar | IMBEX | IMNEX |
How to remember it: Mitra means 'friend' and Shakti means 'strength'. Link Mitra Shakti to Sri Lanka and Sampriti to Bangladesh, because these two are the pair UPSC is most likely to swap. Note also that an army-led exercise can include air force personnel for heliborne and air-support drills.
In the news
The ninth edition of Mitra Shakti was held at Aundh, Pune, from 16 to 29 November 2023, about seven months before the June 2024 Prelims. It also used drones and counter-drone systems. Named exercises from the previous year appear in Prelims almost every year.