Exercise PRAGATI 2026, a multilateral military exercise involving 12 friendly nations, commenced on Wednesday at Umroi Military Station in Meghalaya.
Participating countries include Bhutan, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Seychelles, Sri Lanka and Vietnam. The visiting contingents received a traditional welcome from the Indian Army upon arrival.
PRAGATI short for Partnership of Regional Armies for Growth and Transformation in the Indian Ocean Region aims to strengthen military cooperation, promote professional exchange and enhance coordination among participating armies.
The exercise is being conducted in the spirit of equality, friendship and mutual respect.
Addressing the opening ceremony, Major General Sunil Sheoran, Additional Director General of Infantry, underlined the importance of collective engagement in tackling evolving security challenges.
He encouraged participants to learn from one another’s operational experiences and work towards shared objectives through mutual understanding and cooperation.
The two-week exercise will focus on counter-terrorism operations in semi-mountainous and jungle terrain, featuring joint planning drills, tactical exercises and coordinated operations.
Indian defence firms will also showcase indigenous technologies and equipment under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, highlighting the country’s growing self-reliance in defence production and innovation.