The Maldives National Defence Force has officially joined a military training programme hosted by the Indian Armed Forces, a multilateral initiative intended to share technical expertise and tactical experience while fortifying strategic relationships.
The two-week military initiative, known as Exercise PRAGATI 2026, is currently underway at the Umroi Military Station in Meghalaya, India. Formally designated as the 'Partnership of Regional Armies for Growth and Transformation in the Indian Ocean Region', the programme integrates a diverse array of forces into a unified training environment. Alongside the Maldives and India, the host nation, the broad regional coalition brings together military personnel from 11 other nations, including Bhutan, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, the Philippines, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam.
The primary focus of the rigorous training regimen is the planning and execution of counterterrorism operations specifically designed for mountainous and jungle terrains. To achieve its collaborative objectives, the exercise will encompass a comprehensive series of joint planning scenarios, tactical drills, and coordinated field operations.
The deployed Maldivian delegation consists of two officers and 30 enlisted soldiers, forming a tactical contingent that represents a highly specialised cross-section of the nation's defence apparatus. The participating personnel were drawn entirely from the elite ranks of the Special Forces, the Special Operations Group, the Special Boat Squadron, and the Marines.