NOMADIC ELEPHANT: India-Mongolia Joint Exercise in Meghalaya

Exercise Overview and Participants

• 16th edition of India-Mongolia Joint Military Exercise Nomadic Elephant
• Held from July 3-16, 2024, at Foreign Training Node, Umroi, Meghalaya
• Indian contingent: 45 personnel from Sikkim Scouts and other arms
• Mongolian contingent: Personnel from 150 Quick Reaction Force Battalion
• Annual event alternating between India and Mongolia; previous edition in Mongolia (July 2023)

Objectives and Focus Areas

• Enhance joint military capabilities for counter-insurgency operations
• Operations in semi-urban and mountainous terrain under UN mandate

Tactical drills include:

• Response to terrorist actions
• Establishment of joint command post
• Intelligence and surveillance center setup
• Securing landing sites
• Small team insertion and extraction
• Special heliborne operations
• Cordon and search operations
• Employment of drones and counter-drone systems

Diplomatic and Military Significance

Opening ceremony attended by:

• Mr. Dambajavyn Ganbold, Mongolian Ambassador to India
• Major General Prasanna Joshi, Indian Army

Closing ceremony to be attended by:

• Lieutenant General Zubin A Minwalla, Indian Army
• Major General Gyanbyamba Sunrev, Mongolia
• Fosters interoperability, camaraderie, and defense cooperation
• Enables sharing of best practices in tactics, techniques, and procedures
• Enhances bilateral relations between India and Mongolia

Nomadic Elephant exercise exemplifies the growing defense cooperation between India and Mongolia, serving as a cornerstone for regional stability and security in Asia. It demonstrates both nations' commitment to peace, counterterrorism, and mutual defense capabilities enhancement.