India host mega multinational military exercise 'PRAGATI 2026' in Meghalaya

Armies from ​across the Indo-Pacific and Indian Ocean Region gather at Umroi, Meghalaya, for joint training.

PRAGATI means Partnership of Regional Armies for Growth and Transformation in the Indian Ocean Region.

Troops from Bhutan, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Seychelles, Sri Lanka and Vietnam join India for the exercise.

The Umroi region in Meghalaya was chosen for this drill as it offers ideal terrain for jungle warfare, tactical drills and multinational combat coordination.

The training node includes a joint warfare centre, reflex shooting ranges, obstacle courses, heliborne zones and jungle warfare areas.

Soldiers conduct jungle operations, room intervention drills, fire-and-move tactics and casualty evacuation exercises under realistic conditions.

Special emphasis is being placed on heliborne missions, rapid troop insertion and coordinated operations in difficult terrain.

The exercise will_​ culminate in a continuous 72-hour multinational mission designed to test coordination, endurance and interoperability.

Exercise PRAGATI 2026 reflects India’s growing role in promoting stability, trust and defence collaboration across the Indo-Pacific region.

(All photo credit: Indian Army)