New Delhi [India], February 2 (ANI): The 13th edition of the joint military Exercise KHANJAR between India and Kyrgyzstan will be conducted at Misamari, Assam, from February 4 to 17, the Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADGPI) of the Indian Army announced on Monday.
According to a post on X by the ADGPI, the exercise aims to enhance interoperability between the Special Forces of both nations, focusing on joint operations in urban warfare and counter-terrorism scenarios under the United Nations mandate. “Exercise KHANJAR-XIII will further strengthen bilateral defence cooperation and deepen the enduring military partnership between India and Kyrgyzstan,” the post added.
The 12th edition, KHANJAR-XII, took place in Tokmok, Kyrgyzstan, in March 2025. Elite troops from India’s Parachute Regiment (Special Forces) and the Kyrgyz Scorpion Brigade participated in intensive training designed to enhance interoperability, high-altitude warfare capabilities, and counter-terrorism tactics. Exercises included advanced operations such as sniping, complex building intervention, mountain craft, and specialized counter-terrorism drills.
Since its inception in 2011, Exercise KHANJAR has evolved into an annual training program, with venues alternating between India and Kyrgyzstan, reflecting the unique dimension of the countries’ strategic relationship.
India and Kyrgyzstan maintain warm and friendly ties, marked by growing engagement in defence, security, trade, and investment. Both nations share common concerns regarding terrorism, extremism, and drug trafficking. Key aspects of bilateral defence cooperation include training Kyrgyz personnel in Indian defence establishments, joint exercises, exchange programs, and collaborative research at the Kyrgyz-India Mountain Bio-Medical Research Centre (KIMBMRC) in Bishkek, the Ministry of External Affairs noted.
