The Indian Army concluded Exercise PRAGATI this week in Umroi, Meghalaya, after training with troops from several friendly foreign nations [1].
The multilateral drill serves as a strategic effort to improve military-to-military cooperation and interoperability among partners in the Indian Ocean region and ASEAN. By practicing joint responses to security threats, the participating nations aim to create a more cohesive framework for regional stability.
The exercise took place from May 18 to May 31, 2026 [2]. Training focused on three primary areas: counter-terrorism, sub-conventional warfare, and disaster-relief cooperation [3]. These simulations are designed to prepare forces for complex environments where multiple nations must coordinate logistics and tactics in real time.
Participation numbers varied across reports, with some sources citing 11 nations [2] and others noting up to 13 participating countries [4]. The total force involved included more than 400 soldiers [4].
"Exercise Pragati is a mega engagement set in the serene environments of Umroi, Meghalaya. Over 400 soldiers from 13 participating countries," Brigadier Mayur Shekatkar said [4].
The drills in Meghalaya emphasized the importance of shared tactical knowledge. Troops engaged in exercises that mirrored the challenges of modern asymmetric warfare, specifically targeting the ability to neutralize terrorist threats while managing humanitarian crises. The Indian Army hosted the event to strengthen ties with friendly nations through practical, field-based experience [3].
“Over 400 soldiers from 13 participating countries”
Exercise PRAGATI reflects India's growing role as a security provider in the Indo-Pacific. By hosting diverse military contingents from ASEAN and the Indian Ocean region, India is leveraging 'soft' military diplomacy to build a coalition capable of responding to non-traditional security threats without relying on a single superpower's infrastructure.
