India conducts four simultaneous multinational drills, showcasing expanding defence ties
The Indian Army is running four separate joint exercises with the United States, UAE, Kazakhstan and Mongolia at nearly the same time.
India's army is hosting four bilateral drills almost concurrently, reflecting a shift toward active defence diplomacy. The 22nd Yudh Abhyas with the United States brings Alaska's 11th Airborne Division to Rajasthan and Uttarakhand for high-altitude operations near the Line of Actual Control. Days later, the UAE's Mountain Infantry Battalion trains with a Bhairav Battalion contingent in Uttarakhand under Exercise Mountain Guardian 2026, focusing on mountain combat and drones.
In Kazakhstan's Oskemen, the ninth KAZIND sees a 60-person Garhwal Rifles contingent engage Kazakh forces, and Mongolia concludes its 18th Nomadic Elephant drill in Pithoragarh. Holding these exercises on Indian soil lets the host shape terrain, expose its troops to varied tactics, and signal its credibility as a security partner.
Why it matters
Simultaneous drills demonstrate India's growing strategic partnerships and its ability to coordinate with diverse militaries.
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