India-Thailand Maitree 2025 marks the 14th edition of the annual joint military exercise between the Indian Army and the Royal Thai Army. Scheduled from 1 to 14 September 2025, the exercise will take place at the Foreign Training Node in Umroi, Meghalaya. Returning to Indian soil after five years, Maitree 2025 aims to strengthen operational capabilities, enhance interoperability, and deepen defence cooperation between the two nations. Focused on counter-terrorism operations in semi-urban terrain under United Nations mandates, this edition reaffirms the shared commitment of India and Thailand toward regional stability and global peace.
Background of Exercise Maitree
Launched in 2006, Exercise Maitree has been a cornerstone of India-Thailand military cooperation. Conducted annually, the exercise alternates between training grounds in both countries, providing diverse environments for troops to sharpen their skills. Over the years, it has expanded in scope and complexity, reflecting the growing strategic alignment between the two nations.
The 2025 edition is particularly significant as it symbolizes continuity and resilience in bilateral defence relations. It also comes at a time when regional security challenges demand stronger partnerships and more coordinated responses.
Objectives of Maitree 2025
The primary objective of India-Thailand Maitree 2025 is to prepare troops for counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations in semi-urban and jungle terrain. Key goals include:
- Enhancing interoperability by practicing joint tactical drills.
- Exchanging best practices in modern warfare strategies, including techniques, procedures, and planning.
- Training for urban warfare scenarios, where troops must neutralize threats in densely populated environments.
- Building camaraderie and cultural understanding between soldiers from both countries.
By focusing on United Nations peacekeeping mandates, the exercise also equips participants with the skills necessary for international security operations.
Operational Details and Training
India-Thailand Maitree 2025 will involve company-level training, typically comprising 50 to 76 soldiers from each army. The joint sessions will include:
- Counter-terrorism drills in semi-urban environments.
- Jungle warfare operations to tackle insurgent threats.
- Rapid response simulations to neutralize coordinated attacks.
- Close-quarter combat techniques for handling complex urban operations.
These operational scenarios mirror real-world threats, ensuring that both armies are better prepared for regional and global peacekeeping roles.
Defence Cooperation Between India and Thailand
Defence collaboration between India and Thailand has steadily grown over the past two decades. India’s Act East Policy aligns closely with Thailand’s Act West Policy, creating synergies across strategic and economic domains.
Some key aspects of defence cooperation include:
- Multilateral engagement in forums such as ASEAN, BIMSTEC, Mekong Ganga Cooperation, and the Indian Ocean Rim Association.
- Memorandum of Understanding (2012) on defence cooperation, enabling greater institutional exchanges.
- Joint maritime patrols in the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal.
- Participation in Cobra Gold, a multinational military exercise in Thailand, where India serves as an observer.
- Regular staff talks and expert exchanges to enhance collaboration in cyber defence, military medicine, and humanitarian assistance.
Exercise Maitree thus fits into the larger strategic framework of defence diplomacy, complementing other military and diplomatic initiatives.
Historical Locations of Maitree Exercises
Over the years, Exercise Maitree has been conducted at multiple locations in both India and Thailand. Some notable editions include:
- Krabi and Chachoengsao (Thailand) – showcasing amphibious and jungle operations.
- Bakloh and Umroi (India) – focusing on mountain warfare and semi-urban tactics.
- Tak Province (Thailand) in 2024 – the previous edition that featured expanded counter-insurgency drills.
The decision to host the 2025 edition in Umroi, Meghalaya, reflects the strategic importance of India’s Northeast, a region with unique terrain that is ideal for jungle and semi-urban warfare training.
Strategic Importance of Maitree 2025
India-Thailand Maitree 2025 is not just a military drill but a strategic exercise that reinforces bilateral ties and contributes to regional stability. Its significance lies in:
- Strengthening India’s Look East/Act East Policy, anchoring India more firmly in Southeast Asia.
- Reinforcing Thailand’s Act West Policy, which enhances its engagement with South Asia.
- Promoting regional security amid challenges such as terrorism, insurgency, and maritime threats.
- Building trust and camaraderie between soldiers, which translates into stronger institutional ties.
Moreover, the exercise underscores the importance of international cooperation in tackling global threats, especially under United Nations peacekeeping frameworks.
Conclusion
India-Thailand Maitree 2025 reflects the growing depth of defence cooperation between two geographically proximate and culturally connected nations. Through joint training in counter-terrorism, semi-urban warfare, and jungle operations, the exercise equips both armies with the skills to address emerging security challenges.
By hosting the 14th edition in Umroi, India highlights its commitment to defence diplomacy in the Northeast while strengthening strategic ties with Thailand. Beyond military drills, Maitree 2025 is a symbol of shared vision, regional stability, and global peace. As the exercise concludes, it will leave behind not just enhanced operational capabilities but also stronger bonds of trust and friendship between India and Thailand.
