India–Kyrgyzstan Special Forces Drill: Strategic Deepening Through Exercise Khanjar-XIII

Why in News ?

The 13th edition of the joint military Exercise KHANJAR between India and Kyrgyzstan has begun recently at Misamari in Sonitpur district of Assam. The annual special forces exercise reflects the growing defence cooperation between the two countries and India’s strategic engagement with Central Asia.

Background and Context

• India and Kyrgyzstan share long-standing historical and civilisational ties, reinforced in the post-Cold War period through diplomatic, economic and defence engagement.
• Central Asia occupies a vital position in India’s Connect Central Asia Policy, due to:
  • Its proximity to Afghanistan,
  • Strategic location between Russia, China and West Asia,
  • Shared concerns over terrorism, extremism and regional instability.
• Defence cooperation, including training exchanges and joint exercises, has emerged as a key pillar of India’s engagement with the region.
• Exercise Khanjar, initiated in 2011, has evolved into a regular platform for strengthening military-to-military trust, interoperability and counter-terrorism preparedness.

About Exercise Khanjar-XIII

• Nature: Annual joint exercise between the Special Forces of India and Kyrgyzstan.
• Edition: 13th edition (Khanjar-XIII).
• Location (2026): Misamari, Sonitpur district, Assam.
• Host Rotation: Conducted alternately in India and the Kyrgyz Republic.
• Participating Units: Elite Special Forces contingents from both nations.
• Symbolism: Reflects deepening strategic partnership and shared security interests.

Objectives and Focus Areas of the 2026 Edition

1. Enhancing Interoperability

• To improve coordination between the special forces of both countries in:
  • Planning,
  • Execution,
  • Command-and-control during joint operations.

2. Counter-Terrorism and Urban Warfare

• The 2026 exercise focuses on:
  • Urban combat scenarios,
  • Counter-terrorism operations,
  • Hostage rescue,
  • Building clearance and close-quarter battle drills.
• These scenarios are designed in line with United Nations mandates, reflecting peacekeeping and international security norms.

3. Sharing Tactical and Operational Expertise

• Exchange of best practices in:
  • Special operations tactics,
  • Intelligence-led operations,
  • Use of modern weapons and equipment,
  • Mountain and high-altitude warfare experiences.

4. Strengthening Professional and Cultural Bonds

• The exercise fosters:
  • Mutual understanding,
  • Trust between troops,
  • People-to-people contact at the military level.

Strategic and Operational Significance

1. Strengthening India–Central Asia Defence Engagement

• Exercise Khanjar reinforces India’s role as a reliable security partner in Central Asia.
• It complements other defence initiatives such as:
  • Joint training,
  • Capacity building,
  • Defence dialogues with regional states.

2. Counter-Terrorism Preparedness

• Both India and Kyrgyzstan face:
  • Threats from transnational terrorism,
  • Extremist ideologies,
  • Radicalisation networks.
• Joint training enhances preparedness to respond to:
  • Terror attacks,
  • Cross-border threats,
  • Hybrid warfare challenges.

3. Regional Stability and Multilateral Security

• By aligning with UN mandates, the exercise supports:
  • Peacekeeping readiness,
  • Collective security norms,
  • Stability in volatile regions of Eurasia.

4. Operational Readiness of Special Forces

• Exposure to diverse terrains and operational doctrines enhances:
  • Combat efficiency,
  • Tactical adaptability,
  • Inter-service coordination.