Umroi: The 14th edition of the India–Thailand joint military exercise ‘Maitree’ came to a close on Sunday at Umroi in Meghalaya’s Ri-Bhoi district, after two weeks of intensive training designed to sharpen interoperability and counter-terror capabilities.
Conducted under a United Nations mandate, the exercise culminated in a 48-hour validation phase where soldiers of the Indian Army and the Royal Thai Army executed complex operations, including establishing a temporary base, creating an intelligence and surveillance grid, isolating a village, conducting heliborne raids, and carrying out hostage rescue missions.
Both sides also showcased new-generation equipment during the drills.
Defence officials said the exercise provided valuable insights into counter-terrorism tactics, peacekeeping operations, intelligence sharing, and the integration of modern battlefield technology.
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The closing ceremony featured the felicitation of standout performers, followed by cultural performances reflecting the martial and artistic traditions of both nations.
Friendly matches of volleyball, basketball, and tug-of-war added to the camaraderie between the contingents.
Describing the exercise as a “resounding success,” a senior Indian Army officer said it had not only enhanced mutual understanding and operational cooperation between the two armies but also further strengthened bilateral ties between India and Thailand.
