Context:
The 11th edition of the joint military exercise between India and Seychelles is currently being conducted at the Seychelles Defence Academy from March 9 to 20, 2026. This edition is a major milestone as it is the first-ever Tri-Service edition, involving the Army, Navy, and Air Force from the Indian side.
1. Core Characteristics of ‘LAMITIYE’
- Etymology: The word ‘LAMITIYE’ translates to “Friendship” in the Creole language (the local language of Seychelles).
- Frequency: It is a biennial training event (held every two years).
- History: The exercise has been conducted in Seychelles since 2001.
- Objective: To enhance synergy and interoperability in Sub-conventional Operations in a Semi-Urban environment under the United Nations (UN) Charter for Peacekeeping Operations.
2. Participants & Assets (2026 Edition)
- Indian Army: Personnel from the ASSAM Regiment (Southern Command).
- Indian Navy: Deployment of the stealth frigate INS Trikand.
- Indian Air Force: Deployment of a C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft.
- Host Nation: Seychelles Defence Forces (SDF).
3. Key Operational Focus Areas
- Tactical Drills: Neutralization of threats in semi-urban settings, close-quarter battle (CQB), and room intervention drills.
- Specialized Scenarios: Hijacked bus scenarios and hostage situation response tactics.
- Technology Showcase: Exploitation of new-generation equipment, including discussions on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in disaster management and tactical combat.
- Maritime Component: The Seychelles Coast Guard and Special Forces demonstrate VBSS (Visit, Board, Search and Seizure) procedures.
- HADR: Sessions on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief, specifically the role of helicopters in casualty evacuation and reconnaissance.
4. India’s Major Military Exercises (2026)
| Exercise Name | Partner Nation(s) | Type | Edition / Venue (2026) | Strategic Significance & Key Focus |
| LAMITIYE-2026 | Seychelles | Tri-Service (Army, Navy, Air Force) | 11th Edition / Seychelles Defence Academy | First-ever Tri-Service edition. Focuses on sub-conventional operations, semi-urban warfare, and maritime security under India’s SAGAR vision. |
| MILAN 2026 | Multilateral (50+ Nations) | Naval | Visakhapatnam, India | India’s largest multilateral naval exercise. Projects India as a “Preferred Security Partner” in the Indo-Pacific and enhances collective maritime domain awareness. |
| DHARMA GUARDIAN | Japan | Army | India (Foreign Training Nodes) | Strengthens the India-Japan Special Strategic Partnership. Focuses on urban combat and disaster relief (HADR) in the context of the QUAD framework. |
| DUSTLIK 2026 | Uzbekistan | Army | Termez, Uzbekistan / India | Focuses on counter-terrorism in mountainous and rural terrains. Key to India’s “Connect Central Asia” policy. |
| SAMPRITI 2026 | Bangladesh | Army | Alternating (India/Bangladesh) | Enhances synergy for UN Peacekeeping missions and border security. Central to the “Neighbourhood First” policy. |
In the context of Exercise LAMITIYE-2026, the Indian Army's participation was represented by which of the following regiments?
(a) Gorkha Rifles
(b) Rajputana Rifles
(c) Assam Regiment
(d) Madras Regiment
Answer: C
Explanation:
Assam Regiment: In 2026, the Indian Army's participation was led by the Assam Regiment. They were selected due to their specialized training in rugged terrain and sub-conventional warfare (counter-insurgency/terrorism), which is the primary focus of the urban-combat drills in Seychelles.
