The 12th edition of Exercise KHANJAR, the India-Kyrgyzstan Joint Special Forces Exercise, was conducted in Kyrgyzstan. The exercise reinforces strategic partnership between India and Kyrgyzstan, emphasizing their shared commitment to peace, stability, and regional security.
Since its inception in 2011, KHANJAR has evolved into an annual joint training event, hosted alternately in India and Kyrgyzstan. The previous edition was conducted at the Special Forces Training School, Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh, India.
KHANJAR-XII
Participants
- India: Parachute Regiment (Special Forces).
- Kyrgyzstan: Kyrgyz Scorpion Brigade.
Objectives of the Exercise
- Enhance interoperability between Indian and Kyrgyz Special Forces.
- Exchange best practices in Counter-Terrorism and Special Forces Operations.
- Train in complex operational environments, focusing on urban warfare and high-altitude mountainous terrain.
- Develop advanced Special Forces skills, including: Sniping tactics; Complex building intervention; Mountain warfare and survival techniques.
- Strengthen defence ties to address common concerns like international terrorism and extremism.
- Encourage cultural exchanges, including participation in the Kyrgyz festival Nowruz, fostering deeper friendship between the two nations.
India-Kyrgyzstan Defence Cooperation
Kyrgyzstan is located in Central Asia and shares the Fergana Valley with Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. The region is rich in hydrocarbons, making it strategically important for India’s energy security.
Key defence collaborations include:
- Training Kyrgyz personnel in Indian defence institutions.
- Conducting joint military exercises like KHANJAR.
- Facilitating exchange programs and joint research at the Kyrgyz-India Mountain Bio-Medical Research Centre (KIMBMRC), Bishkek.
Major Bilateral Defence Agreements
During Prime Minister’s visit to Kyrgyzstan in June 2019, four key MoUs were signed:
- MoU between Indian National Security Guards & Kyrgyz National Guards.
- MoU between Indian High Altitude Warfare School (Gulmarg) & Kyrgyz Combat Training Centre (Balykchi).
- MoU between Indian National Defence Academy & Kyrgyz Defence Academy.
- MoU between DRDO & National Centre of Cardiology and Internal Medicine, Bishkek.
These agreements highlight the growing India-Kyrgyzstan defence partnership, strengthening joint training, research, and knowledge-sharing initiatives.
Significance of KHANJAR-XII
- Strengthens counter-terrorism cooperation in challenging terrains.
- Enhances military interoperability between Indian and Kyrgyz Special Forces.
- Reinforces India’s strategic engagement in Central Asia, supporting broader regional security efforts.
- Bolsters India-Kyrgyzstan diplomatic and cultural ties through military and non-military exchanges.