The 14th edition of the India-Thailand joint military exercise, Exercise MAITREE-XIV, commenced on September 1, 2025, at the Joint Training Node (JTN) in Umroi, Meghalaya. The two-week-long exercise is scheduled to run until September 14, 2025. This joint military drill aims to enhance operational synergy and deepen defense cooperation between the two nations.

Exercise MAITREE began in 2006 as an annual bilateral military exercise between the Indian Army and the Royal Thai Army. It alternates between locations in India and Thailand and is designed to improve joint operational skills and encourage defense cooperation. The 13th edition of the exercise was held in Tak Province, Thailand, in 2022. This year, the exercise returns to Indian soil after five years.

The Indian Army is represented by 120 personnel from a battalion of the Madras Regiment. The Royal Thai Army is represented by 53 soldiers from the 1st Infantry Battalion of the 14th Infantry Brigade. Together, the two contingents will participate in company-level counter-terrorist operations in semi-urban environments, conducted under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, which governs peace enforcement measures.

The training will involve tactical drills, joint planning, special arms training, fitness routines, and raiding operations. The program will conclude with a 48-hour validation exercise, simulating realistic operational scenarios to test the interoperability and coordination of both forces.

Beyond tactical training, Exercise MAITREE provides a platform for cultural exchange, reinforcing the historic civilizational ties between India and Thailand. The exercise reflects the shared commitment of New Delhi and Bangkok towards regional stability, counter-terrorism cooperation, and a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific.

The exercise is designed to further sharpen the operational capabilities of both armies in undertaking joint company-level counter-terrorism operations in semi-urban terrain under the United Nations’ mandate, reflecting the shared commitment towards global peace and security.

The commencement of Maitree-XIV was marked by a grand opening ceremony at the Joint Training Node, Umroi. The site itself, nestled in the scenic Khasi Hills of Meghalaya, has become a premier training facility for hosting multinational exercises. The ceremony included formal addresses, cultural exchanges, and traditional military protocols, underscoring the spirit of camaraderie that underpins the exercise. Senior officers from both Armies delivered remarks highlighting the importance of collaboration in the evolving global security environment. The Indian contingent commander spoke of India's enduring ties with Thailand, noting that the exercise is not only about tactical drills but also about building trust, friendship, and long-term defense cooperation.