Guwahati: Amidst the hilly terrain of Meghalaya, it looks like a routine annual military exercise. Thirteen armies, thirteen nations and a joint exercise. Boots on Indian soil, training together, going through the drills. But in a larger context, the picture becomes far more significant. “ We have gained a lifetime experience, the modern warfare, which India is master in. Great learning for us”, said a senior Army Officer of a participating nation who wants to be anonymous.
What is unfolding in the dense forests of Meghalaya in Umroi Army camp is not just a display of camaraderie between friendly forces — it is a carefully choreographed signal to the world. A signal that asserts India’s military reach in the Indian Ocean Region(IOR). India’s strategic presence is deepening, its strategic partnerships are strengthening and its defence capabilities are no longer just impressive on paper. They are being witnessed, firsthand, by the Armies of thirteen nations who have come not just to train — but to see what India has to offer for them as a modern and credible Armed Force.
The maiden edition of Multilateral Exercise PRAGATI 2026 concluded successfully at Umroi Military Station, Meghalaya, with a comprehensive 72-hour validation exercise that showcased enhanced interoperability, mutual trust and collective readiness among participating armed forces.
The exercise brought together over 400 military personnel from 13 nations — India, Bhutan, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Seychelles, Sri Lanka and Vietnam — under the banner of Partnership of Regional Armies for Growth and Transformation in the Indian Ocean Region(PRAGATI).
The closing ceremony was attended by six Vice Chiefs and more than 40 senior military officials from participating nations. Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth, Vice Chief of the Army Staff, hosted the visiting dignitaries and engaged in bilateral interactions aimed at strengthening defence cooperation and military-to-military relations.
Conducted in semi-mountainous and jungle terrain, the exercise focused on counter-terrorism operations and featured intensive training through lectures, demonstrations and practical exercises. Participants trained together in mixed teams, undertaking activities such as rock craft, ambush and counter-ambush drills, slithering, jungle lane shooting, room and bus intervention, IED detection and casualty evacuation.
A major highlight of the exercise was the camaraderie and soldierly bonding displayed by participants, who trained and operated together under challenging conditions, fostering mutual understanding, trust and professional cooperation.
As part of the exercise, the Indian Army, in collaboration with FICCI and the Army Design Bureau, organised a defence equipment display showcasing indigenous defence technologies and next-generation military equipment. The exhibition highlighted India’s growing capabilities in defence design, development and manufacturing under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative while promoting defence industry collaboration and exports.
Exercise PRAGATI 2026 has significantly enhanced interoperability, strengthened collective preparedness and deepened partnerships among the participating nations. The successful conclusion of the inaugural edition has laid a strong foundation for future iterations of the exercise and reaffirmed the shared commitment of regional partners towards peace, security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region, said Col. Mahendra Rawat, PRO Defence, Guwahati.
