The joint annual special forces exercise 'Khanjar' between India and Kyrgyzstan officially kicked off on Wednesday at the Missamari military station in Assam, as confirmed by an official statement released by the Ministry of Defence. This significant bilateral training engagement is scheduled to run from February 4 to February 17, bringing together elite troops from both nations to sharpen their combat skills and operational synergy.
Elite Contingents and Strategic Objectives
A 20-member contingent from the Indian Army's renowned Parachute Regiment (Special Forces) is participating alongside an equally sized team from Kyrgyzstan's ILBRIS Special Forces Brigade. The primary aim of the exercise is to facilitate the exchange of best practices and invaluable experiences in Counter Terrorism and Special Forces Operations, with a particular emphasis on urban and mountainous terrain.
Advanced Skill Development Focus
The statement further elaborated that the exercise will concentrate on developing advanced Special Forces capabilities, including sniping techniques, complex building intervention strategies, and specialized mountain craft. This comprehensive training regimen is designed to prepare the forces for high-stakes scenarios they may encounter in real-world operations.
Enhancing Interoperability and Regional Security
According to a senior official quoted by PTI, the exercise aims to significantly enhance interoperability between the special forces of India and Kyrgyzstan. The focus will be on conducting joint operations in urban warfare and counter-terrorism scenarios, all under the mandate of the United Nations. This collaboration underscores the shared commitment of both nations to promoting peace, stability, and security across the region.
Historical Context and Bilateral Relations
Since its inception in 2011, Exercise Khanjar has evolved into a crucial annual bilateral training engagement. The previous edition was successfully held in Tokmok, Kyrgyzstan, in March 2025. India-Kyrgyz relations have witnessed substantial expansion in recent years, spanning multiple areas of bilateral engagement such as defence, security, trade, and investment.
The Ministry of External Affairs highlighted that both countries share common concerns over terrorism, extremism, and drug trafficking, which further strengthens their strategic partnership. Key pillars of defence cooperation include the training of Kyrgyz personnel at Indian defence institutions, regular joint military exercises, exchange programmes, and collaborative research initiatives at the Kyrgyz–India Mountain Bio Medical Research Centre (KIMBMRC) located in Bishkek.
This ongoing exercise not only reinforces the robust defence ties between India and Kyrgyzstan but also serves as a testament to their collective resolve in addressing contemporary security challenges through mutual cooperation and advanced tactical training.
