India-Seychelles Joint Military Exercise 2026

Summary of India-Seychelles Joint Military Exercise LAMITIYE-2026

Event Overview:

• Exercise Name: LAMITIYE-2026
• Duration: March 10 to 22, 2026
• Location: Seychelles Defence Academy
• Participants: Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, and Seychelles Defence Forces (SDF)

Key Objectives:

• Strengthen defense cooperation
• Enhance interoperability in sub-conventional operations, particularly for UN peacekeeping missions

Activities Conducted:

• Extensive professional exchanges and joint training exercises
• Tactical discussions and practical drills:
  • Counter-terrorism Operations:
    • Indian Army presented a detailed case study on operational planning and inter-agency coordination.
  • Cordon and Search Operations:
    • Training focused on planning procedures, area domination, search techniques, and crowd management with an emphasis on civilian safety.
  • Operational Demonstrations:
    • Close-quarter battle and room intervention drills simulating real-world operational conditions.
    • Specialized drill for hijacked bus scenarios demonstrating rapid response and decision-making in hostage situations.

Emerging Operational Domains:

• Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief:

  • Use of helicopters for casualty evacuation, supply delivery, and aerial reconnaissance.
  • Discussions around the application of artificial intelligence in disaster management and casualty care.

• Maritime Security Operations:

  • Seychelles Coast Guard demonstrated procedures for Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure aimed at intercepting suspicious vessels.

Strategic Significance:

• Exercise LAMITIYE-2026 aims to reinforce bilateral defense ties between India and Seychelles and promote cooperation in tackling regional security challenges, particularly in the Indian Ocean Region.

Conclusion: The joint exercise marks a pivotal step in enhancing military collaboration while addressing modern security threats and fostering peacekeeping efforts through shared training and operational insights.