The Impressive TimesNew Delhi, May 20, 2026: Multilateral military exercise PRAGATI 2026 commenced at Umroi Military Station in Meghalaya on Tuesday with the participation of armed forces contingents from 12 friendly nations, reinforcing India’s commitment to regional security cooperation and defence diplomacy in the Indian Ocean Region.
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 arrival, reflecting India’s cultural heritage and spirit of hospitality.
PRAGATI, which stands for Partnership of Regional Armies for Growth and Transformation in the Indian Ocean Region, is being conducted in the spirit of equality, friendship and mutual respect. The exercise aims to provide a common platform for participating armies to engage in professional exchanges, enhance interoperability and strengthen military-to-military relations.
The opening ceremony was attended by senior military officials and dignitaries. Addressing the participants, Major General Sunil Sheoran, Additional Director General of Infantry, Indian Army, emphasized the importance of collective engagement in addressing evolving regional and global security challenges. He encouraged all participating nations to engage with openness, mutual respect and a shared willingness to learn from one another’s operational experiences.
According to the Ministry of Defence, the key objectives of the exercise include improving coordination in joint operations, identifying common areas of cooperation, sharing best practices developed through individual operational experiences, and strengthening defence ties through joint training and cultural interaction.
The exercise will also focus on developing common concepts for intelligence management and operational coordination in a multinational environment, reflecting the growing importance of collaborative security mechanisms in the region.
The two-week training programme is centred on counter-terrorism operations in semi-mountainous and jungle terrain. Activities will include joint planning exercises, tactical-level drills and coordinated field operations aimed at enhancing adaptability, endurance and tactical proficiency among participating troops.
Special emphasis will be placed on physical fitness, discipline, operational coordination and the ability to function effectively under challenging terrain and climatic conditions.
As part of PRAGATI 2026, Indian defence and technology companies will showcase indigenous equipment and innovations developed under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. The exhibition is expected to provide opportunities for knowledge exchange while highlighting India’s expanding capabilities in defence manufacturing, technological innovation and self-reliance.
Officials stated that the exercise reflects India’s broader vision of promoting regional cooperation, strengthening defence partnerships and building collective approaches to shared security challenges in the Indo-Pacific and Indian Ocean regions.
Exercise PRAGATI 2026 is expected to further deepen professional ties among participating armies, enhance interoperability and contribute toward a stronger framework of regional defence cooperation and mutual understanding.
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