MNDF Joins 13-Nation Security Drills in India to Bolster Regional Stability

Personnel from the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) have concluded their participation in a high-level multinational military exercise in northeast India, aimed at strengthening security ties across the Indian Ocean region. Known as Exercise PRAGATI 2026—the Partnership of Regional Armies for Growth and Transformation in the Indian Ocean Region—the maneuvers took place from May 18 to 31. The drills were hosted at the Umroi Military Station in Meghalaya, India, focusing on critical areas of cooperation including counter-terrorism operations and international peacekeeping efforts. The Maldivian contingent featured specialized units, including the Special Forces, the Special Operations Group, the Special Boat Squadron, and the Marine Corps. These elite units worked alongside more than 400 soldiers from 12 other nations, including India, Bhutan, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, the Philippines, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam. By integrating diverse military capabilities, the exercise sought to reinforce a collective security framework within the Indian Ocean. The training culminated in a rigorous 72-hour validation exercise, designed to test the operational readiness and interoperability of the participating allied forces. This participation underscores the MNDF's commitment to regional security and its ongoing efforts to enhance the tactical capabilities of its specialized units through international collaboration.