A first-of-its-kind multi-nation Army exercise concluded at Umroi Military Station, Meghalaya, on Saturday with a 72-hour drill to ‘validate concepts’ of interoperability and collective resolve of the participating forces to address common security challenges.
More than 400 troops from India, Bhutan, Cambodia, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Indonesia and Laos operated together.
The exercise from May 20-30 was named ‘PRAGATI,’ which stands for ‘Partnership of Regional Armies for Growth and Transformation in the Indian Ocean Region’.
The exercise provided a common platform for regional partners to exchange experiences, share best practices and strengthen military-to-military cooperation.
The Ministry of Defence said the participants executed the 72-hour validation exercise, which consolidated the training outcomes and demonstrated the operational synergy.
The exercise focused on counter-terrorism operations in semi-mountainous and jungle terrain. The training covered a wide range of activities, including rock craft, ambush and counter-ambush drills, slithering, jungle lane shooting, room and bus intervention, IED detection, casualty evacuation and other specialised skills.
Mixed teams comprising personnel from participating nations trained together, enhancing interoperability, capacity building and mutual trust.
The personnel roughed it out together through demanding training conditions, reinforcing the common soldierly spirit that binds armed forces across nations. The exercise also provided opportunities for cultural exchange and informal interaction.
As part of the exercise, the Indian Army, in collaboration with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), organised a defence equipment display for the participating partner nations.
The Army Design Bureau of the Indian Army and 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.
The validation event was attended by vice chiefs of six countries and over 40 senior military officials from the 13 participating friendly foreign countries.
Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth, Vice Chief, hosted the dignitaries from all participating countries.
