Guwahati, 20 May (HS): The multilateral military exercise PRAGATI 2026 commenced at the Umroi Military Station in Meghalaya with the participation of armed forces contingents from 12 friendly nations. The 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 their arrival, showcasing India’s cultural heritage and hospitality. The exercise, named PRAGATI — Partnership of Regional Armies for Growth and Transformation in the Indian Ocean Region — is being conducted in the spirit of friendship, equality and mutual respect among participating nations.
Senior military officials and dignitaries attended the opening ceremony. Addressing the gathering, Major General Sunil Sheoran, Additional Director General of Infantry of the Indian Army, welcomed all participating contingents and stressed the significance of collective cooperation in tackling emerging security challenges. He urged all troops to engage with openness and mutual respect while learning from each other’s operational experiences and expertise.
According to officials, the exercise aims to strengthen coordination among participating nations during joint operations and enhance cooperation in areas such as intelligence sharing, counter-terrorism preparedness and multinational operational planning. It also seeks to institutionalise the exchange of best practices and deepen defence ties through joint training and cultural interaction.
The two-week exercise will primarily focus on counter-terrorism operations in semi-mountainous and jungle terrain. The training schedule includes joint planning exercises, tactical drills and coordinated field operations intended to improve endurance, adaptability and tactical efficiency of participating forces under challenging conditions.
As part of the exercise, Indian defence and technology companies will also showcase indigenous military equipment and innovations under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. The exhibition is expected to facilitate knowledge exchange and highlight India’s growing capabilities in defence production and self-reliance.
Officials stated that Exercise PRAGATI 2026 is expected to further strengthen military cooperation among regional partners and contribute towards a coordinated approach in addressing shared security concerns in the Indian Ocean Region.----------
Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash
