The
Indian Army concluded the inaugural edition of Exercise PRAGATI 2026 at the Joint Training Node in Umroi, Meghalaya, bringing together military contingents from 12 friendly foreign countries for nearly two weeks of joint training and engagement.
Held from May 18 to 31, the multinational exercise saw the participation of more than 400 soldiers from 13 countries, including India. The programme was designed to strengthen military cooperation, improve interoperability and deepen mutual understanding among participating nations.
The exercise focused on counter-insurgency operations in semi-mountainous and jungle terrain. Troops took part in specialist military drills, tactical exercises, discussions on emerging technologies, sporting events, cultural programmes and yoga sessions.
Speaking about the event, Brigadier Mayur Shekatkar said, "Exercise Pragati is a mega engagement set in the serene environments of Umroi, Meghalaya. Over 400 soldiers from 13 participating countries, including India, are participating in this mega exercise. Over the days, we have conducted various specialist drills and procedures to include rock craft, improvised explosive devices, special helibon operations, various tactical drills, snap situations.
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He said the exercise had also helped participants build stronger personal and professional ties.
"All this also provided us the opportunity to build bonds of friendship and camaraderie. In addition to the tactical drills and procedures, soldiers have come closer by indulging themselves in sports and games as well as cultural activities. Apart from that, this demanding routine also enabled them to experience the calmness of yoga," he added.
Exercise Director Colonel Sandeep Poonia said the initiative was aimed at promoting cooperation among partner nations in the Indian Ocean Region.
"Pragati, the acronym stands for Partnership of Regional Armies for Growth and Transformation in the Indian Ocean Region. With this, we had the aim to create synergy, create interoperability and enhance the mutual trust amongst the friendly foreign nations," he said.
Poonia noted that troops from 12 foreign countries had trained alongside Indian soldiers over the past two weeks with a particular emphasis on counter-insurgency operations in difficult terrain.
"With this aim, we had planned this exercise and approximately 400 participants from 12 friendly foreign countries were here. And over the last two weeks, we have got trained together, during which the focus of the exercise was on counter-insurgency operations based in semi-mountainous and jungle terrain," he said.
He also highlighted the opportunity for participating armies to exchange ideas and discuss the impact of emerging technologies on modern military operations.
"During this time, it was a great opportunity for all of us to share the best practices. We planned our operations and carried out detailed discussions on how to incorporate the latest technologies, the niche technology, and what the effect of this is on our operations, the new TTPs, that is, techniques, tactics and procedures," Poonia said.
Participants from partner countries praised the training environment and hospitality extended during the exercise.
Philippines Marine Corps Staff Sergeant Mary Simongo said, "First of all, I would like to express my sincere thanks to the Indian Army, the organisers, the facilitators, and the support staff for inviting us here. And in here, we have gained enough knowledge, we have gained a lot of ideas, learnings wherein we can bring it home in our community."
She also acknowledged the exchange of experiences among participating delegations.
"To the other delegates, we learned a lot from them. The Indian Army imparted a lot for us. And thank you again, Indian Army, for everything, for the very warm hospitality here in India."
