Context of the News
A 13-nation multinational military exercise — Exercise PRAGATI 2026 — has commenced at the Umroi Military Station in Meghalaya, hosted by India along with 12 friendly nations drawn from across South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). The participating countries include Bhutan, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam — together representing a strategic arc of India’s neighbourhood and extended neighbourhood. The exercise, conducted by the Indian Army’s Eastern Command, aims to provide a common platform for participating armies to engage in professional exchange, share best practices, and build closer military-to-military ties.
Key Highlights
- Exercise name: PRAGATI 2026.
- Type: Multinational military exercise.
- Venue: Umroi Military Station, Meghalaya.
- Host: India.
- Participating nations (12 + India = 13):
| South Asia | Southeast Asia | Indian Ocean |
|---|---|---|
| Bhutan | Cambodia | Maldives |
| Nepal | Indonesia | Seychelles |
| Sri Lanka | Laos | |
| Malaysia | ||
| Myanmar | ||
| Philippines | ||
| Vietnam |
About the News
What is PRAGATI 2026?
A 13-nation multinational military exercise hosted by India at the Umroi Military Station in Meghalaya, with 12 friendly nations participating alongside the Indian Army.
Which nations are participating?
(a) South Asia: Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Maldives. (b) Southeast Asia: Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Vietnam. (c) Indian Ocean: Seychelles. (d) Host: India.
Where is the exercise being held?
At the Umroi Military Station, located in Ri-Bhoi district of Meghalaya, near Shillong — under the Indian Army’s Eastern Command.
What is the aim of the exercise?
The Defence Ministry has stated that the exercise seeks to: (a) Provide a common platform for participating armies. (b) Enable professional exchange. (c) Build closer military-to-military ties. (d) Implicitly, strengthen interoperability for joint operations such as disaster relief, peacekeeping, and counter-terrorism.
Why is the choice of Meghalaya significant?
(a) Strategic location in India’s northeast, the gateway to ASEAN and the Bay of Bengal. (b) Eastern Command’s operational headquarters and training infrastructure. (c) Symbolic projection of India’s commitment to its Act East partners. (d) Geographic convenience for participants from Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean. (e) Domestic boost for the northeast as a hub of strategic activity.
How does this fit into India’s defence diplomacy?
India has built a robust portfolio of military exercises: Bilateral examples:
- Yudh Abhyas — with the US.
- Vajra Prahar — Special Forces with the US.
- Surya Kiran — with Nepal.
- Mitra Shakti — with Sri Lanka.
- Sampriti — with Bangladesh.
- Maitri — with Thailand.
- Garuda Shakti — with Indonesia.
- VINBAX — with Vietnam.
- IMBAX — with Myanmar.
- Cope India (Air Force) — with the US. Multilateral examples:
- MILAN (Navy) — multiple Indian Ocean nations.
- ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise.
- Malabar (Quad navies — India, US, Japan, Australia).
- Tarang Shakti (Air Force multilateral). PRAGATI adds to this list as a broad-based regional army exercise.
Why does India host such exercises?
(a) Build military partnerships as part of broader diplomatic ties. (b) Project soft power as a net security provider. (c) Build interoperability for joint operations (HADR, peacekeeping, etc.). (d) Counter the influence of strategic rivals in the region. (e) Showcase Indian defence capability and platforms, supporting defence exports. (f) Strengthen Indo-Pacific architecture.
How does this connect to India’s Act East Policy?
The presence of seven ASEAN-region nations (Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Vietnam) reflects India’s deepening Act East engagement — extending beyond economic ties (trade, FTAs) into defence cooperation and joint training.
How does this connect to SAGAR vision?
The participation of Indian Ocean nations (Maldives, Sri Lanka, Seychelles) reflects India’s commitment to Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) — India’s framework for maritime security cooperation in the Indian Ocean.
How does this connect to Neighbourhood First?
The participation of South Asian neighbours (Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Maldives, plus Myanmar) reflects the Neighbourhood First Policy — prioritising constructive engagement with immediate neighbours.
Why is this timing strategically significant?
(a) 2026 West Asia conflict — disrupting global supply chains and security. (b) Pakistan-Saudi Arabia defence accord — altering Gulf security geometry. (c) Continued China-related strategic concerns in the Indo-Pacific. (d) Reorganisation of regional alliances — including the I2U2, IMEC, Quad. (e) India-UAE strategic upgrade — covered earlier this session. The PRAGATI exercise is a timely show of India’s regional defence engagement amid this evolving landscape.
Background Concepts (Q&A)
What is the “Act East” Policy?
Articulated under PM Modi’s government in 2014 (building on the earlier Look East Policy of the 1990s), Act East is India’s strategic engagement with ASEAN and East Asia through: (a) Trade and investment (ASEAN-India FTA). (b) Connectivity (Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport, Trilateral Highway). (c) Defence and security cooperation. (d) Cultural and people-to-people ties (Buddhism, diaspora). (e) Engagement with ASEAN, ASEAN-led forums (EAS, ARF, ADMM+), BIMSTEC, Mekong-Ganga Cooperation.
What is the SAGAR vision?
Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) — announced by PM Modi during his Mauritius visit in March 2015. It outlines India’s vision for the Indian Ocean Region: (a) Cooperative security with maritime neighbours. (b) Capacity building in coastal states. (c) Sustainable development of ocean economy. (d) Disaster relief and humanitarian assistance. (e) Counter-piracy and maritime law enforcement.
What is the Neighbourhood First Policy?
India’s foreign-policy doctrine of prioritising relations with immediate South Asian neighbours — Bhutan, Bangladesh, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan (where possible), Sri Lanka, Afghanistan — through: (a) Connectivity and economic ties. (b) Development cooperation. (c) Security collaboration. (d) People-to-people engagement.
What is the Indian Army’s Eastern Command?
One of the six operational commands of the Indian Army, headquartered in Kolkata. The Eastern Command is responsible for: (a) Defence of India’s northeast including the borders with China, Bhutan, Myanmar, Bangladesh. (b) Counter-insurgency operations in the northeast. (c) HADR (Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief) in the region. The Eastern Command’s responsibility includes Meghalaya, Sikkim, parts of Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Assam.
What are major Indian Army multilateral exercises?
(a) Cobra Warrior (Air Force, multinational). (b) Tarang Shakti (Air Force). (c) MILAN (Navy). (d) Malabar (Navy, Quad). (e) ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise. (f) PRAGATI (Army, this exercise).
What is the role of “military diplomacy”?
A subset of foreign policy that uses defence-related interactions to: (a) Build trust with partner nations. (b) Share best practices in military operations. (c) Strengthen interoperability for joint operations. (d) Project soft power via training, education, equipment supply. (e) Promote defence exports. (f) Support broader political objectives.
Where is Meghalaya?
A northeastern Indian state with capital Shillong. It is bordered by: (a) Assam to the north. (b) Bangladesh to the south. Known for: (a) High rainfall — Cherrapunji and Mawsynram are among the wettest places on Earth. (b) Tribal-majority population — Khasi, Jaintia, Garo. (c) Unique cultural and ecological heritage. (d) Strategic location as a gateway to Bangladesh and ASEAN routes.
What is BIMSTEC and how does it relate?
Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation — a regional grouping of 7 countries: India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand. BIMSTEC complements India’s Act East and Neighbourhood First by focusing on Bay of Bengal connectivity. Several PRAGATI 2026 participants are BIMSTEC members.
What is the Indo-Pacific framework?
A strategic geographical framework encompassing the Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean regions, recognised by India, US, Japan, Australia, ASEAN, EU, France, UK, Germany, and others. It reflects the interconnectedness of these maritime spaces and includes initiatives like the Quad (India-US-Japan-Australia) and IPOI (Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative) announced by India.
What is the IPOI (Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative)?
Announced by PM Modi at the East Asia Summit in November 2019, the IPOI is India’s framework for cooperation in the Indo-Pacific covering seven pillars: (a) Maritime Security. (b) Maritime Ecology. (c) Maritime Resources. (d) Capacity Building and Resource Sharing. (e) Disaster Risk Reduction and Management. (f) Science, Technology, and Academic Cooperation. (g) Trade Connectivity and Maritime Transport.
Why is multi-nation military exercise diplomacy growing globally?
(a) Shifting power balances require broader alliance structures. (b) Interoperability is essential for HADR, peacekeeping, counter-terrorism. (c) Non-traditional threats (piracy, illegal trafficking, climate disasters) need coordinated responses. (d) Defence partnerships signal political alignments without formal treaties. (e) Military exercises offer a flexible diplomatic tool.
Practice MCQs
Q1. With reference to Exercise PRAGATI 2026, consider the following statements:
- It is a 13-nation multinational military exercise hosted by India.
- It is being held at the Umroi Military Station in Meghalaya.
- The participating nations include Bhutan, Cambodia, Indonesia, Maldives, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam.
- The exercise aims to provide a common platform for participating armies for professional exchange and military-to-military ties.
How many of the above statements are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None
Q2. Consider the following statements about India’s regional strategic frameworks:
- The Act East Policy was articulated in 2014, building on the earlier Look East Policy.
- The SAGAR vision was announced by PM Modi in 2015 during his visit to Mauritius.
- The Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) covers seven pillars including Maritime Security and Maritime Ecology.
- Neighbourhood First Policy is India’s strategic engagement with East Asian countries only.
Which of the above are correct? (a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1 and 4 only (e) All four
Q3. Consider the following Indian military exercises and their bilateral partner:
- Yudh Abhyas — United States.
- Surya Kiran — Nepal.
- Mitra Shakti — Sri Lanka.
- Garuda Shakti — Indonesia.
Which of the above pairs are correctly matched? (a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1 and 4 only (e) All four
Q4. With reference to Indian military and strategic geography, consider the following statements:
- The Indian Army’s Eastern Command is headquartered in Kolkata.
- Meghalaya shares an international border with Bangladesh.
- BIMSTEC is a regional grouping that includes India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
- The Quad consists of India, the United States, Japan, and Australia.
Which of the above are correct? (a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1 and 4 only (e) All four
Answer Key
- (d) — All four statements are correct.
- (a) — Statements 1, 2, 3 are correct. Statement 4 is wrong; Neighbourhood First Policy applies to India’s immediate South Asian neighbours (Bhutan, Bangladesh, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan), not East Asia. Engagement with East Asia is under Act East Policy.
- (e) — All four statements are correctly matched.
- (e) — All four statements are correct.
