Shillong, May 31: The Indian Army’s multinational military exercise, ‘Pragati 2026’ (Partnership for Development and Transformation in the Indian Ocean Region), successfully concluded in Umroi, Meghalaya. This exercise reinforced the collective commitment of participating nations to enhance peace, stability, and security in the Indian Ocean region.
On Saturday, the Indian Army announced that the closing ceremony and final validation exercise featured the participation of Lieutenant General Dheeraj Seth, the Deputy Chief of Army Staff, along with deputy army chiefs and senior military officials from various countries. This marked the successful conclusion of the inaugural edition of ‘Pragati 2026’, which is regarded as a historic multinational military initiative.
Over the two-week duration of the exercise, more than 400 soldiers from 12 friendly nations participated. These included troops from Bhutan, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, the Philippines, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam. The primary aim of the exercise was to promote regional cooperation, military coordination, and improved synergy among the armed forces of different countries.
During the exercise, soldiers from participating nations engaged in training related to counter-terrorism operations in semi-hilly and forested areas. Additionally, various military units shared their experiences and collaborated on modern strategies.
Major Susmita S. Warrior from the Indian Army’s Engineers Corps highlighted that the exercise included crucial activities such as counter-IED operations, room intervention drills, MVC drills, and various counter-terrorism and insurgency-related exercises.
The event also showcased India’s indigenous defense technology and manufacturing capabilities to the participating nations. This demonstration further solidified India’s commitment to the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative and the development of indigenous solutions for future military needs.
‘Pragati 2026’ not only fostered military cooperation but also invigorated the spirit of regional security and shared responsibility among the nations involved.
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