The India-Thailand Joint Military Exercise, MAITREE-XIV, is underway at Umroi, Meghalaya, bringing together contingents from the Indian Army and the Royal Thai Army to enhance interoperability, mutual understanding, and joint operational capabilities under a United Nations mandate.
The exercise, which began on September 1 and continues until September 14, 2025, highlights the strong defence cooperation and strategic partnership between the two countries.
Since the start, both contingents have been training together, sharing operational experiences, and learning from each other&rsquo;s drills and procedures. Over recent days, the participating troops have undertaken rigorous combat conditioning sessions to build physical endurance and battle preparedness, while also receiving orientation on the weapons, equipment, and operational practices of an Indian Army infantry battalion.
&ldquo;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,&rdquo; said defence officials.
The exercise has also featured advanced firing practices, including ambidextrous firing and precision sniper training, along with specialised slithering drills for rapid insertion and extraction during high-risk missions.
&ldquo;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,&rdquo; they added.
Troops have also undergone rock craft training to enhance climbing and tactical movement skills in rugged terrain, while jungle survival drills were conducted to prepare soldiers for operations in challenging environments.
Beyond tactical exercises, MAITREE-XIV has included sports activities to promote camaraderie, teamwork, and mutual respect between the two armies. Interoperability drills integrated throughout the exercise combined acquired skills into cohesive joint operations, demonstrating both contingents&rsquo; ability to function seamlessly in diverse scenarios.
The exercise has provided a valuable platform for the Indian Army and the Royal Thai Army to strengthen professional ties, exchange tactical knowledge, and improve coordination in counter-terrorism operations under the UN mandate. As the drills progress, both nations reaffirm their commitment to regional peace and stability, cementing their military cooperation and strategic partnership. [Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by the Benefit News editorial team and is published directly from the IANS news feed]

India, Thailand boost defence ties at MAITREE

Joint drill in Meghalaya sharpens counter-terror skills, teamwork under UN mandate

India, Thailand boost defence ties at MAITREE

Joint drill in Meghalaya sharpens counter-terror skills, teamwork under UN mandate

September 9, 2025 | 16:50 IST