NATO Begins Cold Response Exercise
NATO commenced its biennial Arctic military exercise, Cold Response, on March 9, 2026, with approximately 25,000 troops from 14 nations participating. The exercise is set to run until March 19, 2026, and includes a significant deployment of around 4,000 troops from the United States.
India and Seychelles Conduct Lamitiye
Simultaneously, India and Seychelles initiated the 11th edition of the military exercise ‘Lamitiye’ on the same day. This exercise, which translates to ‘friendship’ in the Creole language, will conclude on March 20, 2026. It has been a biennial training event in Seychelles since 2001, marking a significant collaboration between the Indian Armed Forces and the Seychelles Defence Forces.
This edition of Exercise Lamitiye is notable for the participation of all three branches of the Indian Armed Forces, reflecting the growing military ties between India and Seychelles.
Concerns in Belagavi
In a different context, BJP MLA Abhay Patil raised concerns regarding the Election Commission of India’s electors mapping exercise in Belagavi, which he claims has only mapped around 20% of the names in the last three months. He highlighted that 60,000 names were left out from the first round of mapping in the Belagavi South constituency, calling the situation “unacceptable.”
These military exercises underscore the importance of international collaboration in defense, particularly in the Arctic region and the Indian Ocean. Observers are keenly watching the outcomes of both exercises, as they may influence future military strategies and alliances.
