Why in the News?

The 14th Maitree Exercise between Indian and Thai Army will be held in Umroi, Meghalaya returning to India after five years.

About Exercise Maitree:

Overview: A bilateral military exercise between the Indian Army and the Royal Thai Army.
Started: 2006, as a collaborative initiative to deepen defense ties.
Frequency: Held annually, alternating between India and Thailand.
Participants: Company-level contingents (approx. 70–80 soldiers each); Indian units have included Ladakh Scouts, while Thai units have included Infantry Regiments.
Objective: To build interoperability, mutual trust, and cooperation in counter-terrorism, insurgency management, and peacekeeping operations.

Counter-Terrorism Focus: Joint training for counter-terror and counter-insurgency operations, especially in semi-urban and jungle terrain.
UN Mandate Training: Exercises designed to simulate peacekeeping operations under UN Charter VII.
Humanitarian Drills: Includes disaster relief, humanitarian assistance, and urban evacuation operations.
Strategic Relevance:
- Strengthens India–Thailand defense cooperation under the 2012 MoU.
- Supports India’s Act East Policy and shared maritime/strategic interests in the Bay of Bengal–Andaman Sea region.
- Enhances interoperability for multinational operations and regional stability.

[UPSC 2024] Which of the following statements about ‘Exercise Mitra Shakti-2023’ are correct?

1. This was a joint military exercise between India and Bangladesh.

2. It commenced in Aundh (Pune).

3. Joint response during counter-terrorism operations was a goal of this operation.

4. Indian Air Force was a part of this exercise.

Select the answer using the code given below:

Options: (a) 1, 2 and 3 (b) 1 and 4 (c) 1 and 4 (d) 2, 3 and 4*