India and Myanmar began their first bilateral tri-services humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) exercise, Rahat Mitra, in Chennai on 5 November 2026. It runs for two days, to 6 November.
Its theme is "Together for Humanity, Stronger through Partnership". More than 300 personnel from all three services of both countries are taking part. The Indian Navy is coordinating the exercise.
The aim
The Defence Ministry says the exercise is meant to build trust, share experience and improve coordination between the two countries' forces in responding to disasters. It links the exercise to India's "Neighbourhood First" policy and to MAHASAGAR, the Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions.
The release does not describe the scenarios being practised or give an outcome.
Photos
Source: official release by the Ministry of Defence, issued through the Press Information Bureau, Government of India (06 NOV 2026 5:56PM by PIB Delhi). Read the full official text: INDIA AND MYANMAR COMMENCE INAUGURAL TRI-SERVICES JOINT HADR EXERCISE ‘RAHAT MITRA’.
How we verified this
VerifiedEvery fact, figure and quotation is taken from the official PIB release (Release ID 2333709) issued by the Ministry of Defence on 06 NOV 2026 5:56PM by PIB Delhi; checked against the source on publication. Story written by BDT from that release; no outside facts added.
Sources
- 1.INDIA AND MYANMAR COMMENCE INAUGURAL TRI-SERVICES JOINT HADR EXERCISE ‘RAHAT MITRA’ — Press Information Bureau, Government of India
