India, Mongolia begin ‘Nomadic Elephant’ exercise

• India and Mongolia commenced the 18th edition of joint military exercise — Nomadic Elephant — at the Foreign Training Node, Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand.

• It will conclude on October 3.

• The Indian Army and the Mongolian Armed Forces are represented by 45 personnel each.

• Nomadic Elephant is an annual training exercise which is conducted alternatively in Mongolia and India. 

• The previous edition of the exercise was conducted at Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia in 2025.

• The exercise aims to enhance the joint military capability of both sides to undertake counter-insurgency operations in semi-urban and mountainous terrain under the United Nations Mandate.

• Mongolia also hosts a multinational military exercise — Khaan Quest — annually. Indian Army contingent participated in the 2025 edition of the exercise.

(The author is a trainer for Civil Services aspirants.)