India and Myanmar conclude first Rahat Mitra disaster relief exercise

Rahat Mitra, the first bilateral humanitarian assistance and disaster relief exercise involving all three Indian armed services and a Myanmar defence delegation, took place in Chennai on 5 and 6 November 2026. Details of its conclusion were made public on 9 November 2026. Participants began by comparing capabilities and planning how to respond together. They used a severe cyclone scenario in a tabletop exercise to discuss what each side would do during a joint response.

The programme then moved from planning to demonstrations. The Indian Army showed how it clears obstacles and lays bridges. Participants visited INS Sukanya to learn how a ship can support relief work. On the second day, a Chetak helicopter and INS Bitra took part in maritime search and rescue manoeuvres. The Indian Air Force demonstrated casualty evacuation, and Military Hospital, Chennai showed how teams sort patients by urgency and organise relief camps. Naval flood relief teams also demonstrated the equipment they use during floods.

Facts to remember

• Exercise name: Rahat Mitra; participants: India and Myanmar.
• The two-day exercise took place in Chennai on 5 and 6 November 2026.
• The tabletop scenario involved a severe cyclone.
• INS Sukanya hosted a visit; INS Bitra and a Chetak helicopter participated in the maritime rescue demonstration.

Background

Humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, abbreviated HADR, describes the focus of this exercise. Rahat Mitra brought together land, sea and air capabilities so the participants could practise how to divide tasks, communicate and coordinate. Its cyclone scenario was a training exercise rather than a response to an actual cyclone.

Why it matters for exams

For CLAT International Relations and defence current affairs, match Rahat Mitra to Myanmar, Chennai and disaster relief coordination.