**Executive Summary**
The maiden edition of Multilateral Exercise PRAGATI 2026 concluded on May 30, 2026, at Umroi Military Station, Meghalaya, following a 72-hour validation exercise. The event brought together over 400 troops and senior military leadership from 13 nations to enhance counter-terrorism capabilities and regional interoperability in the Indian Ocean Region. Key highlights included specialized tactical training, bilateral diplomatic meetings, and an exhibition of indigenous Indian defence technology.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Exercise Objectives and Participation**
* PRAGATI stands for "Partnership of Regional Armies for Growth and Transformation in the Indian Ocean Region."
* Participating nations included India, Bhutan, Cambodia, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Laos.
* The event was attended by six Vice Chiefs and over 40 senior military officials from the participating countries.
* **Operational Training and Tactics**
* The primary focus was on counter-terrorism operations within semi-mountainous and jungle terrain.
* Training modules covered rock craft, ambush and counter-ambush drills, slithering, jungle lane shooting, and IED detection.
* Specialized skills such as room and bus intervention and casualty evacuation were practiced by mixed international teams.
* The exercise culminated in a 72-hour validation phase to demonstrate operational synergy and training outcomes.
* **Defence Industry and Innovation**
* The Indian Army, in collaboration with FICCI and the Army Design Bureau, organized a defence equipment display.
* The exhibition showcased cutting-edge indigenous technologies developed under the "Atmanirbhar Bharat" initiative.
* The platform served to promote defence exports and facilitate knowledge exchange regarding new-generation equipment currently in service.
* **Diplomacy and Relationship Building**
* The Vice Chief of the Army Staff held bilateral meetings with international representatives to strengthen military-to-military cooperation.
* The exercise emphasized cultural exchange and informal interactions to build camaraderie and professional bonds among personnel.
**Impact Analysis**
**Participating Armed Forces**
* **Impact:** Personnel benefited from enhanced interoperability, collective readiness, and the exchange of best practices in specialized counter-terrorism tactics.
* **Action Required:** Participating units must consolidate the shared experiences and technical skills gained during the 72-hour validation exercise into their respective regional security strategies.
**Indian Defence Industry (including FICCI and Army Design Bureau)**
* **Impact:** These entities gained significant exposure to international partners, highlighting India's growing capabilities in indigenous defence design and manufacturing.
* **Action Required:** Industry stakeholders should utilize the established industry engagement and collaboration platforms to pursue future defence exports and technological partnerships.
**Military Leadership and Strategic Planners**
* **Impact:** The exercise established a foundation for a peaceful and secure region and strengthened diplomatic ties through high-level bilateral meetings.
* **Action Required:** Leadership must leverage the success of this maiden edition to plan and implement future iterations of Exercise PRAGATI to maintain regional growth and transformation.
Key Entities Referenced
Exercise PRAGATI 2026: A maiden multilateral military exercise for the Partnership of Regional Armies for Growth and Transformation in the Indian Ocean Region, focused on counter-terrorism and interoperability.
Atmanirbhar Bharat: The national initiative under which indigenous defense design, development, and manufacturing capabilities were showcased to promote defense exports.
Indian Army: The primary host and organizing military force that conducted the exercise and showcased new-generation defense equipment.
Umroi Military Station, Meghalaya: The specific venue and central location for the multilateral exercise and its 72-hour validation phase.
Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI): The industry body that collaborated with the Indian Army to facilitate the exhibition of cutting-edge indigenous defense technologies.
Ministry of Defence
MULTILATERAL EXERCISE PRAGATI 2026
CONCLUDES AT UMROI, MEGHALAYA
Posted On: 30 MAY 2026 4:21PM by PIB Delhi
The maiden edition of Multilateral Exercise PRAGATI 2026, conducted at Umroi Military Station,
Meghalaya, concluded with a 72-hour validation exercise, showcasing the interoperability, mutual trust,
and collective resolve of the participating armed forces to address common security challenges. The event
was attended by six Vice Chiefs and over 40 senior military officials from the 13 participating friendly
foreign countries. Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth, Vice Chief of the Army Staff, hosted the dignitaries
from all participating countries.
PRAGATI, which stands for Partnership of Regional Armies for Growth and Transformation in the Indian
Ocean Region, brought together more than 400 troops from India, Bhutan, Cambodia, Malaysia, Maldives,
Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Indonesia and Laos. The exercise was
conducted in the spirit of equality, friendship and mutual respect, providing a common platform for
regional partners to exchange experiences, share best practices and strengthen military-to-military
cooperation.
The exercise focused on counter-terrorism operations in semi-mountainous and jungle terrain. After
extensive training through lectures, demonstrations, practices and special skills, the participants executed
the 72-hour validation exercise, which consolidated the training outcomes and demonstrated the
operational synergy achieved during the exercise.
The training covered a wide range of activities including rock craft, ambush and counter-ambush drills,
slithering, jungle lane shooting, room and bus intervention, IED detection, casualty evacuation and other
specialised skills. Mixed teams comprising personnel from participating nations trained together,
enhancing interoperability, capacity building and mutual trust.
A key highlight of the exercise was the spirit of camaraderie and soldierly bonding displayed by all
participants. The personnel roughed it out together through demanding training conditions, reinforcing the
common soldierly spirit that binds armed forces across nations. The exercise also provided opportunities
for cultural exchange and informal interaction, further strengthening professional and personal bonds.
As part of the exercise, the Indian Army, in collaboration with the Federation of Indian Chambers of
Commerce and Industry (FICCI), organised a defence equipment display for the participating partner
nations. The Army Design Bureau of the Indian Army and FICCI facilitated the exhibition of cutting-edge
indigenous defence equipment and niche technologies developed by the Indian defence industry, while the
Indian Army showcased select new-generation equipment currently in service. The initiative highlighted
India's growing indigenous defence design, development, and manufacturing capabilities under the
Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative and provided a valuable platform for promoting defence exports through
industry engagement, collaboration, and knowledge exchange.On the sidelines of the exercise, the Vice Chief of the Army Staff held constructive bilateral meetings with
representatives of participating countries to further defence cooperation. These interactions enhanced
mutual understanding and strengthened military-to-military relations among the participating armies.
Exercise PRAGATI 2026 has contributed immensely to enhancing interoperability, strengthening
collective readiness and deepening mutual trust among the participating nations. This maiden edition of
Exercise PRAGATI has laid a strong foundation for like-minded nations striving for a peaceful,
prosperous and secure region; and serves as a precursor to future editions of the exercise.*****
NA/RS
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