A 60-member Indian Armed Forces contingent departed for Oskemen in Kazakhstan to participate in the ninth edition of the India-Kazakhstan Joint Military Exercise KAZIND-2026.

The Defence Ministry said that the exercise aims to enhance interoperability and strengthen the joint capability of both forces to undertake joint counter-terrorism operations in a sub-conventional environment under a United Nations mandate. It added that the exercise will provide an opportunity for both sides to benefit from each other’s operational experience while strengthening professional bonds, mutual trust and camaraderie.

The participating contingents will train together in joint responses to terrorist actions, raids, search-and-destroy missions and Special Heliborne Operations, among other activities. The Indian contingent is drawn mainly from a battalion of the Garhwal Rifles, along with troops from other arms and services and personnel from the Indian Air Force.

The exercise is scheduled to continue until the 11th of next month. The Ministry also said that the exercise will further deepen military-to-military cooperation between India and Kazakhstan. It added that the exercise will reinforce the shared commitment of both nations towards regional peace, stability and collective security.