Indian Army The Overseas Training Node at Umroi, Meghalaya is set to host military delegations from 11 friendly countries for the inaugural edition of multilateral exercise ‘Pragati’ from 18 to 31 May.The exercise aims to strengthen defense cooperation, enhance interoperability and build mutual trust among the participating countries.According to the Indian Army, this initiative reflects a shared commitment towards collective security and regional stability. In a post on Twitter, Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADG PI) said that the exercise underlines the importance of cooperation between regional powers.Military representatives will include troops from Laos, Myanmar, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Nepal, Maldives, Malaysia, Vietnam, Cambodia and Bhutan.The exercise focuses on counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations, with emphasis on joint training and defense diplomacy. It is part of India’s growing defense partnership with its neighbors and countries in the Indian Ocean region, focusing on capacity building and shared operational capabilities.The exercise will mark a shift from bilateral to consortium-style activities in the training of the Indian Army.Apart from the wargames, a major component of the event is a two-day industry exhibition, which highlights the capabilities of the Indian Army and promotes industrial partnerships with ASEAN countries. During exercises with foreign countries, the troops are able to effectively highlight the capabilities of indigenously manufactured hardware and equipment and provide realistic practical experience.