The 14th edition of the India-Thailand joint military exercise, ‘Maitree-XIV’, focusing on counter-terrorist operations in semi-urban terrain, began here on Tuesday. The Indian Army contingent, comprising 120 personnel, is being represented by a battalion of the Madras Regiment, while the Royal Thai Army is represented by 53 personnel from its 1st Infantry Battalion, 14th Infantry Brigade. The fortnight-long exercise aims to bolster defence cooperation, interoperability and mutual understanding between the Indian Army and the Royal Thai Army, an official said. The training programme places emphasis on counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations — two domains where both nations share common security concerns.
With the backdrop of regional instability and the growing importance of coordinated military readiness, the drills encompass tactical manoeuvres, field operations, and joint planning in semi-urban and jungle terrains. The opening ceremony, attended by senior military officials from both sides, underscored the importance of strengthening bilateral defence cooperation beyond symbolic engagements. “Exercises like this are not merely about tactical learning but also about building trust and synergy for future contingencies,” noted an officer at the venue.
This edition of the exercise assumes significance as India continues to bolster military partnerships under its “Act East Policy,” while Thailand seeks to enhance defence linkages within the Indo-Pacific framework. Analysts suggest that such exercises not only prepare both armies for real-world contingencies but also reinforce India’s strategic outreach to ASEAN partners, thereby balancing regional power dynamics.