The 18th edition of the India-Mongolia Joint Military Exercise ‘Nomadic Elephant 2026’ is currently underway at the Foreign Training Node at Pithoragarh in Uttarakhand. Running from September 21 to October 3, the annual platoon-level exercise brings together 45 personnel each from the Indian Army and the Mongolian Armed Forces for intensive joint training focused on counter-insurgency operations in semi-urban and mountainous terrain under a United Nations mandate.
Keywords: Nomadic Elephant 2026, India Mongolia military exercise, Pithoragarh joint training, India Mongolia defence cooperation, counter-insurgency operations, India, Mongolia
Troops from both sides are refining tactical drills, joint operational planning and the exchange of best practices. The training curriculum encompasses cordon and search operations, room intervention drills, special heliborne operations, cyber security modules, and the employment of drones and counter-drone systems. These activities are designed to enhance interoperability, operational synergy and mutual understanding between the two armies while preparing them for realistic multi-domain scenarios.
‘Nomadic Elephant,’ conducted alternately in India and Mongolia, underscores the steady expansion of defence cooperation between the two nations. The previous edition was held in Ulaanbaatar in May-June 2025. Beyond contemporary military objectives, the exercise reflects deeper civilisational linkages. India and Mongolia share ancient ties rooted in Buddhism, which travelled from the Indian subcontinent to the Mongolian steppes centuries ago. Mongolia regards India as its spiritual neighbour, a connection that continues to shape bilateral relations.
A significant milestone in modern ties came in 2015 when Prime Minister Narendra Modi became the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Mongolia. During the visit, the Mongolian leadership gifted him a horse named Kanthaka, a gesture symbolising the warmth and cultural affinity between the two countries. That visit also elevated the relationship to a strategic partnership, paving the way for enhanced defence engagement, including the sustained Nomadic Elephant series.
As the 2026 edition approaches its conclusion in the challenging terrain of Pithoragarh, the exercise reaffirms India and Mongolia’s commitment to mutual trust, professional military exchange and broader regional stability. It stands as a practical manifestation of enduring friendship translating into operational readiness.
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.