The multilateral military exercise PRAGATI 2026 commenced on 20 May 2026 at Umroi Military Station, Meghalaya, with the participation of 12 friendly nations — Bhutan, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam. The exercise is scheduled to run until 31 May 2026 at the Joint Training Node in Umroi.
The maiden edition of the multinational joint military exercise brings together over 400 military personnel from 12 friendly nations in a shared commitment towards regional peace, security, and cooperation. PRAGATI stands for Partnership of Regional Armies for Growth and Transformation in the Indian Ocean Region and is being conducted in the spirit of equality, friendship, and mutual respect. The exercise provides a common platform for participating armies to engage in professional
The opening ceremony was attended by senior military officials and dignitaries. In his address, Major General Sunil Sheoran, Additional Director General of Infantry, Indian Army, welcomed all contingents and highlighted the importance of collective engagement in addressing contemporary security challenges. He encouraged all participants to engage with openness, mutual respect, and a willingness to learn from one another’s experiences, while highlighting that the strengths and perspectives brought by each nation would contribute meaningfully towards achieving the collective objectives of the exercise.
The objectives of the exercise include enabling seamless coordination among participating nations in joint operations and identifying common areas of cooperation; sharing expertise and establishing an institutionalised mechanism for the exchange of best practices; strengthening defence ties and camaraderie through joint training and cultural exchange; and evolving common concepts for the management and sharing of intelligence in a multinational environment.
The two-week exercise focuses on counter-terrorism operations in semi-mountainous and jungle terrain. The training programme includes joint planning exercises, tactical-level drills, and coordinated operations designed to improve adaptability, endurance, and tactical proficiency of participating troops. Mixed teams comprising personnel from all participating nations have been training in semi-mountainous and jungle terrain, undertaking rock craft, ambush and counter-ambush drills, slithering, jungle lane shooting, and bus intervention. Sniper and AK-203 firing competitions have also been conducted to enhance operational proficiency and professional understanding among participants.
The exercise will culminate in a 72-hour drill, providing an opportunity to consolidate the lessons learnt during the training and demonstrate the interoperability achieved by the participating contingents in a multinational environment. Senior delegations from participating nations, including vice chiefs and senior commanders, are expected to attend the concluding phase of the exercise, with their presence providing an opportunity to review the conduct of the exercise and further strengthen avenues for continued defence cooperation and professional engagement.
As part of the exercise, Indian technology and defence companies are showcasing indigenous equipment and innovations under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, providing a platform for knowledge exchange and highlighting India’s growing capabilities in defence production, innovation, and self-reliance.
