Joint military exercise DUSTLIK 2026 between India and Uzbekistan concludes

The 7th edition of the joint military exercise DUSTLIK between India and Uzbekistan concluded on 26 April 2026 at the Gurumsaray Field Training Area in Namangan, Uzbekistan. The exercise ran from 12 to 25 April 2026, with the closing ceremony on 26 April. The Indian contingent of 60 personnel consisted of 45 from the Indian Army (drawn mostly from a battalion of the Mahar Regiment) and 15 from the Indian Air Force.

DUSTLIK is an annual exercise that alternates between India and Uzbekistan. It is designed to enhance interoperability and joint operational capability in semi-mountainous terrain. The 2026 edition focused on six operational phases including reconnaissance, airborne insertion, surveillance, helicopter-borne fire support, house intervention drills and reserve operations using engineer and medical detachments.

The exercise enhances the readiness of both sides for joint counter-terrorism operations and to neutralise unlawful armed groups, while exchanging best practices in tactics, techniques and procedures. India and Uzbekistan are both members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and have growing strategic ties in defence, connectivity and counter-terrorism.

Uzbekistan, a doubly landlocked country in Central Asia, is a key partner for India's Connect Central Asia Policy and the Chabahar-INSTC connectivity vision. The first edition of DUSTLIK was held in Uzbekistan in November 2019.

Exam angle: Major bilateral exercises with India to remember - DUSTLIK (Uzbekistan, Army), KAZIND (Kazakhstan), MITRA SHAKTI (Sri Lanka), GARUDA SHAKTI (Indonesia), VINBAX (Vietnam), MAITREE (Thailand), HAND-IN-HAND (China). Capital of Uzbekistan: Tashkent. Currency: Som. Uzbekistan is doubly landlocked.