New Delhi: The maiden edition of the multilateral exercise ‘PRAGATI 2026’ concluded at Umroi Military Station in Meghalaya with a 72-hour validation exercise that underscored coordinated operational readiness and interoperability among participating armed forces.
The exercise, hosted by the Indian Army, was attended by six Vice Chiefs and over 40 senior military officials from 13 friendly foreign countries. Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth, Vice Chief of the Army Staff, received the visiting delegations during the closing phase of the exercise.
Bringing together more than 400 troops from India, Bhutan, Cambodia, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Laos, PRAGATI 2026 was designed as a regional platform for joint training and exchange of operational practices under a shared framework of cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region.
The exercise focused on counter-terrorism operations in semi-mountainous and jungle terrain, according to an official statement.
After structured training phases involving classroom instruction, field demonstrations, and tactical rehearsals, multinational teams executed a 72-hour validation exercise aimed at testing coordinated response and mission execution under simulated operational conditions.
Training modules included rock craft, ambush and counter-ambush drills, slithering, jungle lane firing, room and bus intervention, improvised explosive device detection, and casualty evacuation. Mixed contingents from participating nations operated in integrated teams, reinforcing joint planning and tactical interoperability.
A key aspect of the exercise was the integration of troops from different countries into unified operational groups, enabling real-time coordination and shared execution of tasks in challenging terrain. The training environment also facilitated the exchange of field-level practices and operational procedures among partner nations.
On the sidelines of the exercise, the Indian Army, in collaboration with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, organised a defence technology display featuring indigenous systems developed under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. The showcase highlighted emerging defence capabilities and provided a platform for engagement between the armed forces and visiting delegations on technology and capability development.
The Vice Chief of the Army Staff also held bilateral interactions with senior representatives of participating countries to discuss avenues for strengthening defence cooperation and future joint training initiatives.
Exercise PRAGATI 2026 marked a significant step in enhancing regional military cooperation, building operational interoperability, and reinforcing collective preparedness among participating nations in the Indian Ocean Region.
