Shillong, May 30: The Indian Army‘s multinational military exercise, Pragati 2026 (Partnership of Regional Forces for Development and Transformation in the IOR), 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.
The Indian Army announced on Saturday that the closing ceremony and final validation exercise were attended by 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 first edition of ‘Pragati 2026’, which is regarded as a historic multinational military initiative.
Over 400 soldiers from 12 friendly nations, including Bhutan, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam, participated in the two-week-long exercise. The objective was to promote regional cooperation, military coordination, and better synergy among the armed forces of different countries.
During the exercise, soldiers from participating nations engaged in counter-terrorism training in semi-hilly and forested areas. Additionally, various military contingents shared their experiences and collaborated on modern strategies.
Major Susmita S. Warrior from the Indian Army‘s Engineers Corps highlighted that significant activities related to counter-IED operations, room intervention drills, MVC drills, and counter-terrorism operations were practiced during the exercise.
The event also showcased India’s indigenous defense technology and defense manufacturing capabilities to the participating nations, reinforcing India’s commitment to the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative and developing indigenous solutions for future military needs.
‘Pragati 2026’ not only promoted military cooperation but also invigorated the spirit of regional security and shared responsibility.