The multilateral military exercise PRAGATI 2026 commenced today at Umroi Military Station in Meghalaya.

The Defence Ministry said that 12 friendly nations, namely Bhutan, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Seychelles, Sri Lanka and Vietnam are participating in the exercise.

The exercise provides a common platform for participating armies to engage in professional exchange, learn from one another’s experiences and build closer military-to-military ties.

In his opening address, Additional Director General of Infantry, Indian Army, Major General Sunil Sheoran welcomed all contingents and highlighted the importance of collective engagement in addressing contemporary security challenges. He encouraged participants to engage with openness, mutual respect and a willingness to learn from one another’s experiences.

The two-week exercise will focus on counter-terrorism operations in semi-mountainous and jungle terrain. The training programme will include joint planning exercises, tactical drills and coordinated operations designed to improve adaptability, endurance and tactical proficiency of participating troops.