The Indian Army is set to host military delegations from 11 friendly foreign countries for the inaugural edition of a multilateral military exercise named PRAGATI in Umroi, Meghalaya, from May 18 to May 31, 2026. This is the first time the Indian Army is conducting a dedicated exercise of this kind, and it reflects a planned expansion of India’s regional defense diplomacy.
PRAGATI is an acronym for Partnership of Regional Armies for Growth and Transformation in the Indian Ocean Region, and is designed to strengthen defense cooperation, improve coordination, and build mutual trust among participating nations. India invited 15 nations across South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Indian Ocean island states, of which 11 confirmed participation. The countries are Laos, Myanmar, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, The Philippines, Nepal, The Maldives, Malaysia, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Bhutan. Absentees from the invitee list include Bangladesh, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand. The Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADG PI) described the exercise as reflecting a collective commitment to regional security and the value of sustained military collaboration among participating nations.
The exercise is being conducted at the Foreign Training Node located in Umroi Cantonment, situated in Ri-Bhoi district of Meghalaya. This facility, also referred to as the Joint Training Node (JTN), has been regularly used by the Indian Army for hosting foreign contingents and joint training programs. India has previously hosted several bilateral and small-scale joint military exercises. Notably, Exercise SAMPRITI, a recurring Bangladesh-India exercise, held its 11th edition in 2023 in Umroi, Meghalaya, involving around 350- personnel. Similarly, Exercise MAITREE has been conducted at the JTN in Umroi, including its 14th edition in 2025, between the Indian and Thai armies. Geographically, Umroi’s location adds strategic context to the exercise. Meghalaya shares a direct boundary with Bangladesh and sectors of the India-Bangladesh border lie within relatively close distance of the training area. Umroi is also within the broader eastern frontier zone that has historically seen both cooperation and tension.
India’s recent military exercise pattern further places Exercise PRAGATI within a broader expansion of defense engagement. Key exercises include Exercise Kharga Shakti, which focused on multi-domain operations, and Exercise MILAN, a major naval gathering in the Indo-Pacific. Bilateral drills such as Exercise Yudh Abhyas and Exercise Ajeya Warrior also remain active. Together, these engagements show a steady increase in the scale and diversity of India’s military cooperation, with PRAGATI further extending this pattern as a dedicated multilateral exercise focused on land-based operations.
Along with military drills and war games, exercise PRAGATI includes a two‑day industry exhibition that showcases the Indian Army’s capabilities and promotes defense partnerships with ASEAN countries. These joint exercises allow foreign military teams to see and experience India- made equipment in action, offering a practical demonstration of its effectiveness.
Besides the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy, representatives from border guarding forces and state police forces are also expected to participate in the event, highlighting a comprehensive security approach that includes more than just traditional military cooperation.
Exercise PRAGATI marks a significant step in India’s defense cooperation by bringing multiple partner nations together in a structured multilateral format for the first time. The exercise also highlights the strategic use of India’s northeastern training infrastructure and the integration of multiple service branches and security agencies. Overall, it reflects India’s growing emphasis on collaborative military engagement in the region.
Verification Note: The information in this report has been compiled from multiple credible sources and cross-checked for consistency. Data and reports have been used to corroborate events where possible. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, access limitations may prevent independent verification of all details.
Afiya Ibnath Ayshi is a Security and Strategic Reporting Fellow at Bangladesh Defence Journal. She covers defence, foreign affairs, and humanitarian issues, focusing on how regional and global developments influence Bangladesh’s security and diplomacy. A graduate in English from the University of Dhaka, she brings a research-based and balanced approach to her work.