Trial MAITREE-XIV India-Thailand Ties Strengthening Exercise

Exercise MAITREE 14th edition started on 1 September 2025 in the Joint Training Node at Umroi, Meghalaya and lasted until 14 September. This two-way training between India and Thailand will help strengthen the military cooperation, interoperability and understanding, a sign of strengthening defence collaboration in the Indo-Pacific region.

Background

Introduced in 2006, the Exercise MAITREE also contributes to joint tactical ability and mutual confidence between the two armies, and counter-terrorism and regional security. The programme reflects a common pledge of peace and stability in South and Southeast Asia.

Participating Forces

India has 120 Madras Regiment officials representing the country; the elite of counter-insurgency and jungle warfare skills. Thailand is supplying 53 men in the 1st Infantry Battalion, 14th Infantry Brigade, which is specialised in light infantry tactics and domestic security missions.

Training Focus

The training focuses on the counter-terrorist activities of companies in a semiurban setting. They involve group tactical training, gun handling, counter-insurgency strategy, physical exercise and raid training. It ends with a 48-1 hour validation exercise that is based on simulated real-world operations.

Strategic Significance

MAITREE-XIV can increase operational interoperability and resilience to emerging security threats. Rotational format alternates the hosting between India and Thailand with the last edition being hosted in 2023 in Fort Vachiraprakan, Thailand showing maintenance of bilateral defence relationship.

Regional Security Impact

The exercise helps to enforce the broader peace and security frameworks and structures in the regions and contributes to collaborative preparedness in the fight against terrorism and non-traditional security challenges. The core area of military cooperation between India and Thailand has been critical in maintaining stability in the Indo-Pacific, as the two countries continue to display increasing levels of military diplomacy and strategic partnership in the region.