What Happened
- India and Seychelles launched the 11th edition of Exercise LAMITIYE-2026 at the Seychelles Defence Academy from March 9 to March 20, 2026.
- For the first time, the exercise featured tri-service participation: the Indian contingent included personnel from the Assam Regiment along with assets from the Indian Navy (INS Trikand) and the Indian Air Force (C-130 aircraft).
- Training activities include field training exercises, tactical drills in semi-urban environments, combat discussions, case studies, lectures, and demonstrations.
- The exercise aims to enhance operational coordination, mutual understanding, and interoperability between Indian Armed Forces and the Seychelles Defence Forces (SDF).
Static Topic Bridges
SAGAR — India's Vision for the Indian Ocean Region
India's policy framework for the Indian Ocean Region is encapsulated in the SAGAR doctrine (Security and Growth for All in the Region), articulated by Prime Minister Modi in 2015. SAGAR emphasises peaceful development, respect for international maritime law, and cooperative security rather than unilateral dominance. It commits India to capacity-building for smaller island nations and positions India as a preferred security partner across the Indian Ocean littoral.
- SAGAR treats maritime security as inseparable from economic development for coastal and island states.
- India provides patrol vessels, aircraft (Dornier 228s, Chetak helicopters), radar systems, and deputed military officers to Seychelles as part of this framework.
- The broader strategy also encompasses the India-led Colombo Security Conclave (Sri Lanka, Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles, Bangladesh) for sub-regional maritime cooperation.
Connection to this news: Exercise LAMITIYE is a direct operational expression of the SAGAR framework, building the SDF's capacity while deepening bilateral interoperability in a region where India seeks to be the net security provider.
Seychelles' Strategic Importance in the Indian Ocean
Seychelles is an archipelago of 115 islands located in the western Indian Ocean, close to critical Sea Lanes of Communication (SLOCs) linking Europe, Africa, and Asia. Approximately 80% of India's oil imports transit the Indian Ocean, making surveillance and security of these lanes essential to India's energy security. Seychelles sits astride shipping routes that connect the Gulf of Aden to the Mozambique Channel and onward to the Cape of Good Hope.
- Seychelles hosts no permanent military base from any major power, making India's partnership distinctly cooperative rather than coercive.
- India has helped Seychelles establish a coastal surveillance radar network and has provided vessels for its Coast Guard.
- Piracy, illegal fishing, and drug trafficking through the western Indian Ocean are shared security concerns driving joint exercises.
Connection to this news: The deployment of INS Trikand and a C-130 aircraft to LAMITIYE-2026 signals that India is using the exercise to also rehearse rapid power projection and maritime surveillance capabilities in the western Indian Ocean.
India's Joint Military Exercises — Significance and Pattern
India conducts bilateral joint military exercises with a wide range of countries to build interoperability, exchange tactical knowledge, and signal strategic alignment. Each exercise is named distinctively: TASMAN SABER (Australia), GARUDA SHAKTI (Indonesia), SHAKTI (France), SURYA KIRAN (Nepal), and LAMITIYE (Seychelles — meaning "friendship" in Creole). Biennial exercises like LAMITIYE serve to institutionalise defence ties even with smaller partner states.
- Exercises are held alternately in partner countries and India; LAMITIYE has been held in Seychelles since its 2001 inception.
- Tri-service exercises (Army + Navy + Air Force) are a higher-order format signifying deeper integration than single-service formats.
- Joint exercises form part of India's broader defence diplomacy toolkit alongside defence lines of credit, training programmes, and equipment transfer.
Connection to this news: The upgrade to tri-service participation in 2026 marks a qualitative deepening of the India-Seychelles defence relationship beyond what a standard infantry-focused exercise would represent.
Key Facts & Data
- LAMITIYE means "friendship" in Seychelles Creole.
- The exercise has been conducted biennially since 2001; 2026 is the 11th edition.
- Venue: Seychelles Defence Academy, March 9–20, 2026.
- Indian contingent: Assam Regiment (Army) + INS Trikand (Navy) + C-130 aircraft (Air Force).
- Nearly 80% of India's oil imports transit the Indian Ocean.
- India's SAGAR doctrine was articulated in 2015 during PM Modi's visit to Mauritius.
- Seychelles is a member of the Colombo Security Conclave (est. 2011, expanded 2020s).