EXERCISE LAMITIYE – 2026”

Exercise Lamitiye – 2026: Strengthening Defence Cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region

The Core Tension: Defence Diplomacy vs Regional Power Balances

Exercise Lamitiye, a biennial joint military exercise between India and Seychelles, embodies the conceptual framework of defence diplomacy as a tool for strengthening bilateral relations and regional security. However, the growing militarization in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) also raises concerns about regional power asymmetries and dependency on external powers. The 2026 iteration of the exercise highlights India's strategic vision of cooperative defence partnerships balanced against the increasing geostrategic competition in the IOR. This is critical under GS Paper III (Internal Security & Defence Technology) due to its implications on India's maritime strategy and neighbourhood policy.

UPSC Relevance Snapshot

• GS-III: Role of external state and non-state actors in India's internal security, border management.
• GS-II: India and its neighbourhood relations (bilateral, regional, and global groupings).
• Essay: “Defence diplomacy as a tool for regional stability in the Indian Ocean Region.”
• Prelims linkage: Focus on regional defence exercises (Lamitiye, Malabar, Milan).

Arguments Supporting Exercise Lamitiye

Supporters argue that Lamitiye facilitates mutual trust, enhances military-to-military interoperability, and upholds the security of a strategically critical region. The Indian Ocean, hosting key global trade routes, is pivotal for the Indian Navy’s strategic autonomy and India's Act East policy. Exercises like Lamitiye also align with India's SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) doctrine.

Key Benefits of Exercise Lamitiye

• Enhancing operational readiness: Training in Counter-Insurgency Operations (CI Ops) and Counter-Terrorist Operations (CT Ops) benefits India and Seychelles' forces in addressing asymmetric threats.
• Strategic deterrence: Positions India as a security provider in the IOR, countering China’s growing presence under its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
• Maritime security: Tackles shared challenges like piracy, illegal fishing, and trafficking, as underscored by the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) reports.
• Capacity building: Facilitates military infrastructure development in Seychelles, reducing dependence on external powers.
• Alignment with SDGs: Links to SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) by enabling resilient institutional frameworks for peacekeeping and conflict resolution in IOR nations.

India's focus on regional security aligns with its broader goals of ensuring maritime stability. For instance, the Indian Ocean's strategic importance is also highlighted in global discussions, such as the need for recalibrating national interests in volatile regions.

Key Critiques and Limitations of Exercise Lamitiye

Critics argue that joint defence exercises like Lamitiye must be evaluated against potential risks such as militarization, long-term dependency, and regional power asymmetries. A narrow focus on defence capabilities risks ignoring structural socio-economic challenges in Seychelles and broader Indian Ocean states.

• Militarization of the region: The increasing frequency of joint military exercises could escalate an arms race among IOR countries, particularly vis-à-vis China's Naval Base in Djibouti.
• Dependency risks: Over-reliance on Indian training and assets may undermine Seychelles' defence sovereignty in the long term.
• Overlooked socio-economic dimensions: Defence partnerships often lack integration with developmental initiatives, raising questions about their inclusivity and sustainability.
• Domestic dissent: There have been local protests in Seychelles against India-funded military infrastructure projects, citing concerns over sovereignty and transparency.
• Limited inclusivity: Exclusion of multilateral frameworks (e.g., AU) from bilateral exercises reduces broader regional cooperation.

The concerns over militarization are also echoed in other regions, such as the impact of AI-based alerts on regional stability and governance frameworks.

Comparing India’s Defence Diplomacy with Global Models

Latest Evidence and Policy Developments

Exercise Lamitiye – 2026 included real-time simulation of counter-terror responses, joint tactical planning, and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations. The Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) reported operational readiness scenarios based on recent piracy incidents near Somalia. Seychelles, under President Wavel Ramkalawan, signed a Comprehensive Defence Agreement with India in 2025, complementing Lamitiye’s objectives. Furthermore, UNODC flagged the Indian Ocean as a trafficking hub in its 2025 report, necessitating such collaborations.

These developments are critical as they align with India's broader maritime strategy, especially in light of global challenges like the Iran conflict and its impact on regional trade and security.

Way Forward

To maximize the strategic benefits of Exercise Lamitiye, India must adopt a multi-pronged approach. First, it should integrate defence diplomacy with socio-economic initiatives, ensuring that developmental goals complement security objectives. Second, India must promote multilateral frameworks, such as the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), to enhance regional cooperation. Third, sustained investment in Seychelles' defence infrastructure should be paired with transparent governance mechanisms to address local concerns. Fourth, India should leverage its SAGAR doctrine to balance defence partnerships with broader maritime security goals, including anti-piracy and counter-trafficking measures. Finally, fostering people-to-people ties and cultural exchanges can strengthen bilateral relations beyond defence, ensuring long-term stability in the Indian Ocean Region.

Structured Assessment

• Policy design: Well-framed under SAGAR and Act East, but requires greater linkage with developmental goals like trade and people-to-people ties.
• Governance capacity: Success depends on sustained defence infrastructure aid to Seychelles, alongside transparent project management.
• Behavioural/structural factors: Local resistance in Seychelles, coupled with external pressures from competing powers (e.g., China, USA), complicates consistent implementation.