India is hosting the multinational military exercise PRAGATI 2026 at the Umroi Military Station in Meghalaya. The exercise involves participation from 12 friendly nations and aims to strengthen regional defence cooperation, interoperability, and joint operational capabilities among participating armies.
The main objectives of Exercise PRAGATI 2026 are:
Enhancing military cooperation among partner nations
Improving interoperability between armed forces
Promoting joint tactical training and coordination
Strengthening regional peace and security
Building mutual trust among participating countries
The exercise focuses on jungle warfare, tactical drills, heliborne operations, casualty evacuation, and coordinated multinational missions.
Participating Countries
The 12 participating friendly nations are: Bhutan, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Seychelles, Sri Lanka & Vietnam
India is hosting the inaugural edition of this multilateral exercise.
PRAGATI stands for:
Partnership of Regional Armies for Growth and Transformation in the Indian Ocean Region
The exercise reflects India’s growing role in regional defence diplomacy and Indo-Pacific security cooperation.
Why Meghalaya Was Chosen
The exercise is being conducted at Umroi in Meghalaya because:
The terrain is suitable for jungle warfare training
The region supports realistic combat simulations
It has advanced military infrastructure and joint training facilities
The training includes obstacle courses, firing drills, rapid troop insertion, and multinational coordination exercises.
Some important multinational exercises involving India are:
MILAN Exercise began in 1995 under the Andaman & Nicobar Command.
Tarang Shakti is the Indian Air Force’s first large-scale multinational air combat exercise.
Malabar Exercise started in 1992 as a bilateral exercise between India and the USA before Japan and Australia joined later.
Yudh Abhyas focuses on counter-terrorism and joint military operations.
Dharma Guardian strengthens India–Japan defence cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.
UPSC - 2027 - Prelims cum Mains - Foundation Course / Batch Starts on 14-05-2026 
