Umroi, Meghalaya (India): In a significant boost to defence diplomacy in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), the Indian Army is set to host the maiden edition of Exercise PRAGATI at the Foreign Training Node in Umroi from May 18 to 31, 2026. The exercise will bring together military contingents from 11 friendly foreign nations, underscoring India’s commitment to fostering collaborative security frameworks amid evolving regional challenges.
PRAGATI, an acronym for ‘Partnership of Regional Armies for Growth and Transformation in the Indian Ocean Region’, symbolises a shared vision for stability, interoperability, and mutual capacity-building. Military delegations from Bhutan, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam are set to participate alongside Indian forces. Invitations were extended to additional countries, reflecting the exercise’s broad outreach under India’s Act East Policy.
This marks the first multilateral exercise of its kind at the strategically located Foreign Training Node in Umroi, a key facility in India’s Northeast that has hosted bilateral drills such as Maitree with Thailand. The two-week programme is designed to enhance operational coordination, build mutual trust, and promote best practices in areas such as counter-insurgency, jungle warfare, and humanitarian assistance, skills critical for addressing shared threats like terrorism, natural disasters, and maritime security concerns in the IOR.
Defence experts view PRAGATI as a timely initiative that aligns with India’s broader strategic goals. By engaging neighbours and key IOR partners, many of whom maintain strong historical and economic ties with India, the exercise aims to create a more cohesive regional security architecture. It goes beyond tactical training to nurture long-term partnerships, enabling participating armies to better respond to transnational challenges while respecting sovereignty and mutual interests.
A unique highlight of PRAGATI-I will be a concurrent Defence Industry Exposition on May 30-31, to be organised in collaboration with FICCI and the Indian Army’s Design Bureau. The event will showcase indigenous defence technologies and equipment, offering an opportunity for participating nations to explore collaborations and acquisitions that support self-reliance and capability development.
As global attention shifts towards the Indo-Pacific, initiatives like Exercise PRAGATI reinforce India’s role as a net security provider and a reliable partner. By facilitating practical military-to-military engagement in a multilateral format, the Indian Army is not only strengthening operational readiness but also contributing to a stable and prosperous Indian Ocean Region.
This inaugural edition is expected to set the foundation for future iterations of PRAGATI, potentially expanding participation and deepening cooperation. As one senior defence official noted, such platforms transform bilateral goodwill into collective strength, essential for navigating the complex security landscape of the 21st Century.
contact: drrajeshjauhri@gmail.com
Dr Rajesh Jauhri is a Journalist with an experience of over 25 years in Indian and foreign media, a Social Scientist, an Ac-complished Author, a Political & Strategic Analyst, a Marksman (Rifle & Pistol), an Orator, a Thinker and an Educationist. He holds a Ph.D. degree on “Impact of colonial heritage on Indian police”. He runs an NGO dedicated to the social and eco-nomic uplift of tribal communities in MP and two decades back, he established a school in a village of Indore district, providing education and moral values to children belonging to underprivileged and minority families. Has received multiple awards in various fields.
A very good initiative