The maiden edition of Exercise PRAGATI 2026 (Partnership of Regional Armies for Growth and Transformation in the Indian Ocean Region) concluded at Umroi Military Station, Meghalaya, following a demanding 72-hour validation exercise that showcased the interoperability, mutual trust and collective resolve of participating armed forces to address shared security challenges.
Hosted by the Indian Army, the multinational exercise brought together more than 400 troops from 13 countries, including India, Bhutan, Cambodia, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Indonesia and Laos.
The closing ceremony was attended by six Vice Chiefs and more than 40 senior military officials from participating countries. Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth, Vice Chief of the Army Staff, hosted the distinguished delegates and military leaders.
Focus on Counter-Terrorism and Jungle Warfare
The exercise centred on counter-terrorism operations in semi-mountainous and jungle terrain, reflecting the operational challenges commonly faced across the region.
Participants underwent extensive training through lectures, demonstrations and practical exercises before executing the final validation exercise. Training modules included rock craft, ambush and counter-ambush drills, slithering operations, jungle lane shooting, room and bus intervention techniques, improvised explosive device (IED) detection, casualty evacuation and other specialised combat skills.
Mixed teams comprising personnel from different nations trained together throughout the exercise, significantly enhancing interoperability, operational coordination and mutual understanding among participating armies.
Strengthening Regional Partnerships
A defining feature of Exercise PRAGATI 2026 was the strong spirit of camaraderie and professional bonding displayed by soldiers from diverse nations. Participants trained side by side under demanding conditions, fostering mutual trust and reinforcing the common values shared by military professionals worldwide.
The exercise also provided opportunities for cultural exchange and informal interactions, further strengthening military-to-military relations and people-to-people connections among the participating countries.
Showcasing India’s Defence Capabilities
As part of the event, the Indian Army, in collaboration with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, organised a major defence equipment exhibition for visiting delegations.
The display featured advanced indigenous defence systems and emerging technologies developed under the Government of India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. The Army Design Bureau and FICCI facilitated the exhibition, while the Indian Army showcased several new-generation systems currently in service.
The initiative highlighted India’s growing capabilities in defence design, development and manufacturing while creating opportunities for defence cooperation, industry engagement and export promotion.
Bilateral Engagements on the Sidelines
On the sidelines of the exercise, Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth held a series of bilateral meetings with representatives from participating nations to discuss avenues for expanding defence cooperation and strengthening military partnerships.
These interactions contributed to deeper strategic understanding and reinforced India’s commitment to regional security cooperation and capacity building.
Foundation for Future Editions
Officials described Exercise PRAGATI 2026 as a significant milestone in enhancing collective readiness and strengthening security partnerships across the Indian Ocean Region.
The successful conclusion of the maiden edition has laid a strong foundation for future iterations of the exercise, reflecting the shared commitment of participating nations towards promoting peace, stability, security and prosperity across the region.
The exercise also reaffirmed India’s growing role as a key facilitator of regional military cooperation and defence diplomacy in the Indo-Pacific and Indian Ocean Region.
