A multilateral military exercise named ‘PRAGATI 2026’ has kicked off at the Umroi Military Station in Meghalaya. The exercise involves armed forces personnel from 12 friendly nations, including Bhutan, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, the Philippines, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam. The primary aim is to enhance regional cooperation, interoperability, and strategic coordination among the participating countries.
The exercise, which spans two weeks, focuses on fostering equality, friendship, and mutual respect among the participants. Lt Col Mahendra Rawat, a defense spokesman, highlighted that ‘PRAGATI 2026’ stands for partnership of regional armies for growth and transformation in the Indian Ocean Region. It serves as a platform for the participating armies to engage in professional exchange, share experiences, and strengthen military-to-military ties.
Major General Sunil Sheoran, Additional Director General of Infantry, Indian Army, emphasized the importance of collective engagement in addressing contemporary security challenges during the opening ceremony. He urged all contingents to interact with openness, mutual respect, and a willingness to learn from each other’s experiences. The exercise aims to facilitate seamless coordination in joint operations, identify areas of cooperation, and exchange best practices among the participating nations.
The training program within the exercise focuses on enhancing defense ties and camaraderie through joint training, cultural exchange, and the development of common concepts for intelligence sharing. It will concentrate on counter-terrorism operations in semi-mountainous and jungle terrain. The exercise includes joint planning exercises, tactical-level drills, and coordinated operations to enhance adaptability, endurance, and tactical proficiency of the troops.
