Shillong, May 14: Preparations are underway for Exercise PRAGATI 2026, a multinational military drill scheduled to take place at the Joint Training Node in Umroi, Meghalaya, from May 20 to 31. Military contingents from participating nations will begin arriving on May 18 to join the exercise, which is designed to foster cooperation, enhance interoperability, and strengthen collective preparedness among regional armies.

PRAGATI short for Partnership of Regional Armies for Growth and Transformation in the Indian Ocean Region will bring together contingents from Bhutan, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, the Philippines, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam. The exercise reflects a shared commitment to professional collaboration, mutual learning, and addressing common security challenges through joint training.

Set against the scenic backdrop of Meghalaya, the Joint Training Node at Umroi offers modern infrastructure and natural terrain conducive to tactical training. Facilities include a Joint Warfare Centre, Battle Obstacle Course, Reflex Shooting Range, Heliborne Operations Training Area, Jungle Lane Shooting Area, and Endurance Trekking Lane. These enable training in command post procedures, reflex shooting, jungle operations, heliborne drills, and casualty evacuation.

The exercise will culminate in a 72-hour drill, consolidating lessons learned and demonstrating the interoperability achieved by participating contingents. Senior delegations, including Vice Chiefs and senior commanders from the participating nations, are expected to attend the concluding phase, providing an opportunity to review the exercise and reinforce avenues for continued defence cooperation.

Conducted in the spirit of equality, friendship, and mutual respect, Exercise PRAGATI 2026 reaffirms the Indian Army’s commitment to constructive defence engagement with friendly foreign countries, while strengthening military-to-military cooperation and collective security in the region.