By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, May 20: Military contingents from 12 nations joined the Indian Army at the Umroi Military Station on Wednesday for the commencement of the multilateral exercise PRAGATI 2026.
The participating countries include Bhutan, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam.
PRAGATI — Partnership of Regional Armies for Growth and Transformation in the Indian Ocean Region — aims to strengthen military cooperation and coordination through mutual respect and shared expertise.
Addressing the opening ceremony, Major General Sunil Sheoran, Additional Director General of Infantry, Indian Army, highlighted the importance of collective engagement in addressing contemporary security challenges. He encouraged the contingents to learn from each other’s operational experiences and perspectives.
The two-week exercise will focus on counter-terrorism operations in semi-mountainous and jungle terrain. The training schedule includes joint planning, tactical drills, and coordinated operations to improve the adaptability and tactical proficiency of the troops.
Additionally, the exercise features a display of indigenous equipment and innovations from Indian defence companies under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, highlighting the country’s self-reliance in defence production.
PRAGATI 2026 is expected to deepen professional ties and foster a coordinated regional approach to common security threats.
