SHILLONG: Meghalaya’s Umroi has become a hub for international military cooperation and the village is poised to host joint exercises with the armed forces of the United States and Myanmar later this month and in December, respectively.
Situated in the Eastern Command of the Indian Army, the village in the Ri Bhoi district is the only designated centre for such exercises in the region.
Stating the strategic location and how it has become the chosen destination for such exercises, defence spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mahendra Rawat recently told the press that Umroi has already hosted eight joint exercises with various countries since its inception in 2017, including the recently concluded Harimau Shakti Exercise 2023 between the Indian and Malaysian armies.
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“The facility at Umroi is the nominated node of the Eastern Command of the Indian Army for conducting joint exercises. In the last seven years, it has matured as a Centre of Excellence for International Army Joint Training and focussed on strengthening military level exchanges,” he told a national news agency.
He further added that the Indian Army is making significant strides in defence cooperation by conducting 36 joint exercises with 22 friendly countries at various locations.
Umroi has seen military personnel from multiple countries, including Myanmar, Thailand, China, Kazakhstan, and Malaysia, participate in joint exercises. The first bilateral exercise took place in 2017 with the Bangladeshi Army, marking the beginning of an evolving international cooperation initiative.
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The recently concluded Harimau Shakti Exercise 2023 featured a Malaysian contingent comprising soldiers from the 5th Royal Battalion, along with the representation of the Indian Rajput Regiment.
Lt. Col. Rawat further noted that the next joint exercise on the horizon is with the United States, scheduled for later this month. Following that, in December, Myanmar military personnel will participate in training at Umroi for the second time.
This concerted effort to engage with multiple nations and share military expertise underlines the significance of the Umroi Joint Training Node as a pivotal hub for defence endeavours.
