India, Seychelles Begin Joint Military Exercise LAMITIYE 2026

A contingent of the Indian Armed Forces reached Seychelles to participate in the 11th edition of the joint military exercise “LAMITIYE-2026” with the Seychelles Defence Forces (SDF). The joint exercise is being held at the Seychelles Defence Academy from 09-20 March, 2026.

• In the Creole language, ‘LAMITIYE’ means ‘friendship’, it is a biennial training event and has been held in Seychelles since the year 2001.
• This edition marks an important milestone with participation from all three services of the Indian Armed Forces. The contingent includes personnel from the ASSAM Regiment and also includes personnel from the Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force, including INS Trikand and a C-130 aircraft.
• This exercise will attempt to enhance coordination in the domain of sub-conventional operations in a semi-urban environment and increase cooperation and interoperability between the two sides during peacekeeping operations.
• This exercise will also build and promote bilateral military relations in addition to the exchange of skills, experiences and best practices between the two forces.
• Both sides will jointly conduct planning, training and execution of a series of tactical drills to neutralize potential threats in a semi-urban environment, along with the use and demonstration of new generation equipment and technology.
• This 12-day joint exercise will include field training exercises, combat discussions, case studies, lectures and demonstrations, culminating in a two-day validation exercise.
• This exercise will greatly help in enhancing mutual understanding and jointness between the soldiers of both countries.

Seychelles

• Seychelles is a sovereign island nation and an archipelago state of 155 islands, located in the western Indian Ocean, north-east of Madagascar and far from the eastern coast of mainland Africa.
• The Seychelles archipelago is located on the Mascarene Plateau, a vast submarine plateau in the Indian Ocean. It is the smallest and least populated country in Africa.
• Capital: Victoria (on Mahé Island).
• The country is known for its beaches, coral reefs, nature reserves and rare animals including giant Aldabra tortoises. The Aldabra Atoll, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the world’s largest raised coral atoll and is home to the largest population of tortoises in the world.
• It is located on important maritime trade routes in the Indian Ocean and plays an important role in anti-piracy operations, maritime security and the blue economy.
• Seychelles is an important partner in India’s SAGAR project and Indian Ocean diplomacy.
• India has played an important role in enhancing Seychelles’ security capacity, particularly in the development of Assumption Island. India and Seychelles are now part of the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC), a group for regional security.
• Diplomatic relations between India and Seychelles were established in 1976, which have now transformed into a multidimensional partnership.