NATO Begins Cold Response Exercise
NATO has commenced its biennial Arctic military exercise named 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, with the United States deploying around 4,000 troops for the drills.
India’s Lamitiye Exercise Underway
Simultaneously, India and Seychelles have launched the 11th edition of the military exercise ‘Lamitiye’ on March 9, 2026, which will conclude on March 20, 2026. The term ‘lamitiye’ translates to friendship in the Creole language, emphasizing the cooperative spirit of the exercise.
Exercise Lamitiye has been a biennial training event conducted in Seychelles since 2001, and this edition marks the participation of all three services of the Indian Armed Forces, showcasing a robust military partnership between the two nations.
Concerns in Belagavi
In a related context, BJP MLA Abhay Patil has raised concerns regarding the Election Commission of India’s electors mapping exercise in Belagavi. He stated, “I think only around 20% of the names have been mapped in the last three months in Belagavi city,” highlighting significant gaps in the process.
Patil further noted that approximately 60,000 names have been left out from the first round of mapping in the Belagavi South constituency, calling the situation “unacceptable.”
The NATO mission Arctic Sentry was launched to defuse tensions with former President Trump over Greenland, reflecting the ongoing strategic importance of Arctic operations.
As these exercises unfold, observers are keenly watching the implications for international military cooperation and regional security dynamics. Details remain unconfirmed regarding the full impact of these exercises on future military collaborations.
