Exercise Dustlik 2026: India-Uzbekistan Army Drill
Why in the news
The India-Uzbekistan army exercise Dustlik finished its seventh edition with a validation ceremony, underlining India’s security engagement with Central Asia.
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Edition | Seventh (2026) |
| 2026 venue | Gurumsaray Field Training Area, Namangan, Uzbekistan |
| 2025 venue | Pune, India |
| Frequency | Annual, alternating host |
Key facts
- Participants: Indian Army and Uzbekistan Armed Forces.
- Meaning: Dustlik is Uzbek for Friendship.
- Aims: a shared operational algorithm for command and control, counter-terrorism against unlawful armed groups in hilly or rural terrain, and exchange of planning and arms skills.
- Validation phase: continuous 48 hours testing joint special operations, intelligence gathering and precision strikes under simulated combat.
- The training is physically demanding, reflecting rugged Central Asian geography.
Background
- A validation ceremony formally closes an exercise: outcomes are reviewed, tactics shown and troops honoured.
- Gurumsaray’s semi-arid, hilly ground suits counter-insurgency practice.
Exam angle
- Partner: Uzbekistan; edition: 7th; host in 2026: Uzbekistan.
- Related terms: bilateral exercise, validation phase, Central Asia outreach.