Kamal Ghorui
The Indian Army is set to host military delegations from 11 friendly countries for the inaugural edition of the multilateral exercise ‘Pragati’ at the Foreign Training Node in Umroi, Meghalaya from May 18 to 31.The exercise aims to strengthen defence cooperation, enhance interoperability, and build mutual trust among participating nations.According to the Indian Army, the initiative reflects a shared commitment to collective security and regional stability. In a post on X, the Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADG PI) said that the exercise underscores the importance of collaboration among regional forces.Military delegates will include troops from Laos, Myanmar, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Nepal, Maldives, Malaysia, Vietnam, Cambodia and Bhutan.The exercise centers on counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations, emphasising joint training and defence diplomacy. It is part of India’s growing defence engagement with its neighbouring and Indian Ocean region nations, focusing on building capacity and shared operational capabilities.This exercise will mark a shift in the Indian Army training from bilateral to consortium-style engagements.Besides wargames, a key component of the event is a two-day industry exposition, highlighting the Indian Army’s capabilities and fostering industrial partnerships with Asean nations. During exercises with foreign countries, military contingents are able to effectively highlight capabilities of indigenously manufactured hardware and equipment and provide a realistic hand-on experience.
