NEW DELHI — India has announced a major military exercise involving 11 neighboring countries, with the drills set to run for nearly two weeks this month.
The Indian Army will host its first multinational military exercise, “Pragati,” at the Foreign Training Node in Umroi, Meghalaya, according to reports. The exercise will run from May 18 to May 31 and will include military representatives from 11 friendly nations. The drill aims to strengthen defense cooperation, enhance mutual coordination and build trust among participating countries.
The Indian Army said the initiative reflects a shared commitment to joint security and regional stability. In a post on X, the Additional Directorate General of Public Information said the exercise underscores the importance of cooperation among regional forces.
The Times of India reported that Laos, Myanmar, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Nepal, Maldives, Malaysia, Vietnam, Cambodia and Bhutan are taking part. The exercise will focus on counterinsurgency and counterterrorism operations, with emphasis on joint training and defense diplomacy. It is part of India’s broader push to expand defense cooperation with neighboring countries and Indian Ocean states, aimed at capability development and joint-operations expertise.
Through the exercise, the Indian Army is shifting from bilateral training toward multilateral or consortium-based engagement, the reports said. Alongside the wargames, a two-day industry exhibition will showcase the army’s capabilities and seek to build industrial partnerships with ASEAN nations.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report