PRAGATI 2026 Begins in Meghalaya, Bringing 12 Regional Armies Together for Joint Training

The Indian Army has launched Multilateral Exercise PRAGATI 2026 at Umroi Military Station in Meghalaya, marking an important step in India’s defence engagement with friendly nations across the Indian Ocean Region and Southeast Asia. The exercise began on 20 May 2026 with participation from 12 countries: Bhutan, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Seychelles, Sri Lanka and Vietnam.

PRAGATI stands for Partnership of Regional Armies for Growth and Transformation in the Indian Ocean Region. The exercise has been designed as a platform where participating armies can train together, exchange professional experience and build stronger military-to-military understanding. Its guiding spirit is equality, friendship and mutual respect, making it more than just a military drill; it is also a regional confidence-building effort.

The contingents received a traditional welcome from the Indian Army on arrival, reflecting India’s cultural warmth and hospitality. The opening ceremony was attended by senior military officials and dignitaries. Major General Sunil Sheoran, Additional Director General of Infantry, welcomed the participating troops and underlined the importance of collective engagement in dealing with modern security challenges.

The exercise comes at a time when regional security challenges are becoming increasingly complex. From terrorism and cross-border threats to maritime security concerns and natural-disaster response requirements, modern armies need better coordination, shared understanding and the ability to operate in multinational environments. PRAGATI 2026 directly addresses this requirement by giving soldiers from partner nations a chance to train, plan and operate together.

One of the key objectives of the exercise is to improve coordination among participating nations during joint operations. It will also help identify common areas of cooperation, build institutional mechanisms for sharing best practices, strengthen defence ties and improve the management and sharing of intelligence in multinational settings.

The two-week exercise will focus mainly on counter-terrorism operations in semi-mountainous and jungle terrain. This is operationally significant because many countries in the region face security challenges in difficult terrain where conventional mobility, communication and coordination can become complicated. Training in such conditions improves endurance, adaptability and tactical awareness among soldiers.

The training programme will include joint planning exercises, tactical-level drills and coordinated operations. These activities are intended to improve discipline, physical fitness, battlefield coordination and the ability of troops to function effectively under challenging conditions. Such exercises also help participating armies understand each other’s operating methods, communication styles and tactical priorities.

A notable feature of PRAGATI 2026 is the inclusion of India’s defence industry and technology ecosystem. Indian technology and defence companies will showcase indigenous equipment and innovations under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. This gives the exercise an additional industrial dimension, highlighting India’s growing role as a defence production and innovation hub.

For India, the exercise strengthens its role as a regional security partner that is willing to share training expertise, build defence partnerships and support common security goals. For the participating countries, it provides exposure to joint operational methods, Indian Army training practices and indigenous defence solutions. The presence of nations from South Asia, Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean Region also gives PRAGATI 2026 a broad regional character.

The exercise is expected to deepen professional bonds among the participating armies and support a shared approach to common security challenges. In the long term, such platforms can improve trust, interoperability and regional preparedness. PRAGATI 2026 therefore represents not only a military training event, but also a diplomatic and strategic outreach initiative that reflects India’s growing defence cooperation with friendly nations.