INAUGURAL INDIA–MYANMAR BILATERAL TRI-SERVICES HADR EXERCISE ‘RAHAT MITRA’ CONCLUDES AT CHENNAI

PIB National (English) · Published 9 November 2026 · Last updated 9 November 2026

India and Myanmar completed their first joint tri‑services HADR drill ‘RAHAT MITRA’, showcasing multi‑domain disaster response cooperation.

Key points

Inaugural bilateral Tri‑Services HADR exercise ‘RAHAT MITRA’ was held on 5‑6 Nov 2026 in Chennai, India.
The drill involved the Indian Navy, Army and Air Force together with a delegation from the Myanmar Defence Forces.
More than 300 defence personnel from both countries participated in the two‑day exercise.
Day 1 featured a Table‑Top Exercise on a severe cyclone scenario and demonstrations of obstacle clearance and bridge‑laying by the Indian Army.
Day 2 showcased multi‑domain capabilities, including shore‑based disaster response at INS Adyar, medical triage at Military Hospital, Chennai, and flood‑relief equipment of the Navy’s Flood Relief Teams.
Maritime Search and Rescue was demonstrated by a Chetak helicopter coordinating with INS Bitra, while the IAF performed casualty evacuation with a Myanmar officer aboard an ALH.
The exercise aimed to improve operational interoperability, exchange best practices and strengthen bilateral defence cooperation for disaster response.
Successful completion underscores both nations’ commitment to regional stability, maritime cooperation and collective HADR preparedness.

India and Myanmar have a history of defence dialogue dating back to the early 2000s, with periodic senior military talks.
Both countries signed the 2015 India‑Myanmar Defence Cooperation Framework, which encourages joint training and capacity building.
India’s National Disaster Management Act, 2005, mandates the armed forces to assist civil authorities during emergencies, providing a legal basis for HADR drills.
Myanmar’s 2012 Disaster Management Law similarly obliges its armed forces to support disaster relief operations.
Prior to 2026, India had conducted bilateral HADR exercises with Bangladesh (2019) and Nepal (2022), but none with Myanmar.

UPSC relevance, Prelims facts and Mains angle for this issue are in the full SWAदेSH note.