13 Nations Participate in Joint Anti-Terror Military Exercise in Meghalaya

A joint military exercise involving defense personnel from 13 countries began in Meghalaya on May 20, with a primary focus on counter-terrorism operations.

The military exercise, named “Pragati-2026”, commenced at the Umroi Military Station with the participation of 12 friendly nations including Bhutan, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, the Philippines, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam.

Defense Public Relations Officer Lieutenant Colonel Mahendra Rawat stated that the two-week exercise will focus on counter-terrorism operations in semi-mountainous and jungle terrain.

The training program includes joint planning exercises, tactical-level drills, and coordinated operations designed to improve the adaptability, endurance, and tactical efficiency of participating soldiers.

Rawat added that special emphasis will be placed on physical fitness, discipline, and coordination while operating under challenging conditions.

As part of the exercise, Indian technology and defense companies will showcase indigenous equipment and innovations developed under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. The event will also serve as a platform for knowledge exchange and highlight India’s growing capabilities in defense production, innovation, and self-reliance.

The objectives of the exercise include enabling seamless coordination among participating countries during joint operations, identifying areas of cooperation, sharing expertise, and establishing an institutional mechanism for exchanging best practices developed through individual experiences.