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India-Seychelles Launch Joint Military Exercise Lamitiye 2026 to Boost Interoperability

An Indian Armed Forces contingent has arrived in Seychelles to participate in the eleventh edition of the joint military Exercise Lamitiye 2026, scheduled from March 9 to 20. The exercise, whose name means 'Friendship' in Creole, involves personnel from the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force, including assets like INS Trikand and a C-130 aircraft. It is designed to enhance synergy in sub-conventional operations within semi-urban environments and foster cooperation during peacekeeping missions. The drills will include tactical training, demonstrations, and validation exercises to assess readiness and strengthen the long-standing defence partnership between the two nations.

Key Points: India-Seychelles Joint Military Exercise Lamitiye 2026 Begins

  • Biennial joint exercise since 2001
  • All three Indian Armed Forces branches participating
  • Focus on sub-conventional, semi-urban operations
  • Aims to enhance interoperability & military relations
  • Includes new-generation equipment & tech
2 min read

Indian contingent departs for Seychelles for joint military "Exercise Lamitiye - 2026"

Indian Armed Forces contingent arrives in Seychelles for the 11th edition of Exercise Lamitiye 2026, focusing on sub-conventional operations & interoperability.

"The exercise will contribute immensely in developing mutual understanding and magnify jointness between the troops of both the nations. - Official Statement"

Victoria, March 9

The Indian Armed Forces contingent has arrived in Seychelles to participate in the eleventh edition of the joint military exercise "Lamitiye 2026" with the Seychelles Defence Forces.

The exercise is scheduled to be conducted at the Seychelles Defence Academy from 9th to 20th March 2026.

"'LAMITIYE', meaning 'Friendship' in the Creole language, is a biennial training event and has been conducted in Seychelles since 2001," the official statement read.

This edition is particularly significant as it involves participation from all three branches of the Indian Armed Forces. The contingent includes personnel from the Assam Regiment, along with units from the Indian Navy and Indian Air Force, including INS Trikand and a C-130 aircraft.

The exercise aims to enhance synergy in sub-conventional operations in semi-urban environments, while fostering cooperation and interoperability between the two nations during peacekeeping operations. "The exercise will also build and promote bilateral military relations in addition to exchanging skills, experiences and good practices between both the armies," the statement added.

During the 12-day exercise, both sides will jointly train, plan, and execute a series of tactical drills designed for the neutralization of potential threats in semi-urban settings. The exercise will also showcase new-generation equipment and technology, providing practical experience in field operations.

Activities will include Field Training Exercises, combat discussions, case studies, lectures, and demonstrations, culminating with two days of validation exercises to assess operational readiness. "The exercise will contribute immensely in developing mutual understanding and magnify jointness between the troops of both the nations," the statement read further.

"LAMITIYE-2026" continues to strengthen military ties between India and Seychelles, reflecting a long-standing partnership in defence cooperation.

The joint military engagement underscores India's commitment to fostering regional stability and building enduring defence partnerships through practical training and collaborative exercises.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Good to see all three services participating together. Joint exercises like these are the real test of coordination. The Assam Regiment has a stellar reputation. Hope they gain valuable experience in that terrain.
R
Rohit P
While I support military diplomacy, I hope the focus remains on genuine skill exchange and readiness. Sometimes these exercises can become more about ceremony than practical training. The validation exercises at the end sound promising though.
S
Sarah B
Interesting read. The strategic location of Seychelles makes this partnership very significant. Training in semi-urban environments is highly relevant for modern peacekeeping challenges. Well done.
K
Karthik V
Jai Hind! 🇮🇳 Our soldiers make us proud everywhere they go. "Friendship" is the right approach. Building strong relationships with neighbours and partners is the key to a stable Indian Ocean region. Best of luck to the contingent!
N
Nisha Z
It's heartening to see such long-standing cooperation since 2001. Consistency in defence partnerships matters. Hope our forces also get to learn from Seychelles' experience in maritime surveillance. Win-win for both nations.

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