New Delhi: Multilateral military exercise Pragati 2026 involving personnel from 12 friendly countries began at Umroi Military Station in Meghalaya on Wednesday.Contingents from Bhutan, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Seychelles, Sri Lanka and Vietnam were given traditional welcome. Indian Army.PRAGATI – Partnership of Regional Armies for Development and Transformation in the Indian Ocean Region – The exercise provides a common platform for the participating armies to engage in professional exchanges, learn from each other’s experiences and build closer military-to-military relationships.The two-week exercise will focus on counter-terrorism operations in semi-hilly and forested areas. The training program will include joint planning exercises, tactical-level exercises and coordinated operations designed to improve the adaptability, endurance and tactical efficiency of the participating troops.In his address during a ceremony, Major General Sunil Sheoran, Additional Director General of Infantry, Indian Army, welcomed all the contingents and highlighted the importance of collective engagement in tackling contemporary security challenges. He stressed that the strengths and perspectives brought by each nation will contribute meaningfully to achieving the collective objectives of the exercise.As part of the exercise, Indian technology and defense companies will showcase indigenous equipment and innovations under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, providing a platform for exchange of knowledge and highlighting India’s growing capabilities in defense production, innovation and self-reliance.