India-Seychelles 10th Joint Military Exercise: Lamitiye-2024

The Indian Army contingent departed for Seychelles on 17 March 2024 to participate in the 10th joint military exercise, 'Lamitiye-2024', with Seychelles Defence Forces (SDF). This biennial training program, which has been organized in Seychelles since 2001, will be conducted from 18-27 March 2024.

Participants and Composition:

The exercise will feature 45 military personnel from both the defence forces, including the Indian Gorkha Rifles regiment.

Objectives of the Exercise:

• Enhancing Interdiction Operations: The exercise aims to enhance interdiction operations in peri-urban scenarios under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, focusing on peacekeeping operations.
• Promoting Cooperation and Interoperability: The exercise promotes cooperation and interoperability between the Indian and Seychelles defence forces during peacekeeping operations.

Key Goals:

1. Building Bilateral Military Relations: The primary objective of the exercise is to build and promote bilateral military relations between India and Seychelles.
2. Exchanging Skills and Best Practices: The exercise facilitates the exchange of skills, experiences, and best practices between both armies.
3. Developing Mutual Understanding: The exercise contributes significantly to developing mutual understanding and enhancing jointness between the two armies.
4. Promoting Collaborative Partnership: The exercise promotes collaborative partnership and facilitates sharing of best practices.

Strategic Importance of Seychelles:

Seychelles, a strategically located archipelago of around 115 islands in the Indian Ocean region, holds immense geostrategic importance despite its small landmass of just 452 sq km and a population of about 98,000. Located at the crossroads of Africa, West Asia, and India, Seychelles has been a strategic destination for several major powers with vested interests in the region since the Cold War era.

India's Growing Defense Cooperation with Seychelles:

• Ramping up Defense Cooperation: India has been focusing on significantly ramping up defense cooperation with Seychelles in recent years.
• Supporting Neighboring Countries: India has been providing support to Seychelles and other neighboring countries in the Indian Ocean as a first responder.
• Infrastructure Development: India has helped in developing an airstrip and a jetty on the Assumption Islands in Seychelles.

Countering China's Influence and Ensuring Maritime Security:

Countering China's influence in the Indian Ocean region, India must strengthen its ties with countries like Seychelles, as the recent spree of hijack attempts and drone attacks in the region has raised concerns over sea-borne trade, which is significant for India, with 95% of its trade by volume and 68% by value transiting upon the seas.

The 'Lamitiye-2024' joint military exercise underscores the growing strategic partnership between India and Seychelles, aimed at enhancing regional security, promoting interoperability, and countering potential threats in the Indian Ocean region.