IAF gears up for major Northeast drill; Is India sending a message to Bangladesh?

New Delhi: India’s military strength is on full display with Exercise Trishul 2025, a large-scale tri-service operation involving the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The exercise, which began on October 30, spans multiple phases and will continue until November 10. Conducted primarily across Gujarat and Rajasthan, the central focus lies in the Kutch region, close to the sensitive Sir Creek area near Pakistan. This is India’s largest coordinated military operation since Operation Sindoor, which targeted terror camps across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Trishul 2025 aims to test rapid response mechanisms, combat coordination, and logistical synergy among the three forces under simulated wartime conditions. Advanced Arsenal on Display Across Services The Indian Army has deployed T-90 Bhishma tanks and cutting-edge missile systems like Akash and BrahMos, complemented by the Prachand indigenous attack helicopters. The Indian Air Force (IAF) has fielded its frontline combat aircraft including Rafale, Sukhoi-30MKI, Mirage-2000, Jaguar, and Tejas fighters, supported by Heron and Sea Guardian drones for surveillance. On the maritime front, the Indian Navy has positioned Kolkata-class destroyers and Nilgiri-class frigates along the western coastline, supported by fast-attack crafts to simulate joint strike scenarios. These operations collectively enhance the tri-service integration crucial for modern warfare. India’s Astra Mk-2 Missile to boost IAF power with 200+ km strike range Northeast Drills Signal Strategic Message Following Trishul 2025, the IAF is gearing up for another critical exercise in the Northeast starting November 13. This drill aims to validate deployment readiness along the borders with China, Bhutan, Myanmar, and Bangladesh. The upcoming maneuvers carry strategic undertones as they coincide with the strained relations between New Delhi and Dhaka. After the removal of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh’s interim leader Muhammad Yunus has adopted a posture perceived as increasingly unfriendly towards India. His sharing of a distorted map of India’s Northeast with foreign delegations and overtures to China have raised alarm in Indian security circles, particularly regarding the Siliguri Corridor, a narrow stretch connecting mainland India to its northeastern states. Pakistan’s Lie Exposed In 4K: President Murmu Flies In Rafale; Poses With Female IAF Pilot Regional Defence Cooperation Expands Even as India focuses on strengthening its borders, it continues to expand its defence diplomacy. The 14th edition of Exercise Maitree with Thailand recently concluded in Meghalaya’s Ri-Bhoi district, enhancing interoperability and tactical understanding between the two armies. In September, Indian forces also participated in a multilateral military exercise in Russia to boost coordination with partner nations. These engagements underline India’s strategic aim to maintain regional stability while demonstrating operational readiness on all fronts.