Shillong, May 30: The maiden edition of multilateral exercise PRAGATI 2026, conducted at Umroi Military Station, Meghalaya, concluded with a rigorous 72-hour validation exercise, showcasing the interoperability, mutual trust, and collective resolve of armed forces from 13 participating nations.
With over 400 troops from India, Bhutan, Cambodia, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Indonesia and Laos, Pragati focused on counter-terrorism operations in semi-mountainous and jungle terrains.
The training involved a variety of specialised skills, including rock craft, ambush drills, jungle lane shooting, and IED detection. Mixed teams worked together throughout the exercise, fostering interoperability and capacity building among the participating forces.
Beyond military training, the exercise facilitated cultural exchange and informal interactions among the participants, reinforcing strong professional and personal bonds.
The event was attended by six Vice Chiefs and over 40 senior military officials from the friendly foreign countries. Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth, Vice Chief of the Army Staff, hosted the dignitaries from all participating countries.
The validation exercise consolidated the training outcomes and demonstrated the operational synergy achieved during the exercise.
As part of the exercise, the Indian Army, in collaboration with FICCI, organised a defence equipment display for the participating partner nations. The Army Design Bureau of the Indian Army and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (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.
