India-Mongolia Joint Military Exercise ‘NOMADIC ELEPHANT’

The 17th edition of the India-Mongolia Joint Military Exercise, NOMADIC ELEPHANT, successfully concluded today in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia. This recurring bilateral exercise reflects the growing strategic and defense cooperation between the two countries.

Symbol of Friendship and Mutual Trust

During the Closing Ceremony, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh praised the professionalism, dedication, and exemplary conduct of the Indian soldiers. He emphasized that Exercise NOMADIC ELEPHANT stands as a testament to the enduring bond of friendship, mutual trust, and shared cultural linkages between India and Mongolia—two nations bound by historical Buddhist ties and strategic partnership.

Participation and Operational Focus

The Indian Army was represented by a contingent of 45 personnel, predominantly drawn from a battalion of the ARUNACHAL SCOUTS, a specialized infantry unit trained for high-altitude operations in India’s northeast. Their involvement underscores India’s focus on mountain warfare expertise and its relevance in this joint engagement.

Over the course of two weeks, soldiers from both nations participated in intense and coordinated drills. The primary objective of the exercise was to enhance interoperability—the ability of different armed forces to operate together effectively—between the Indian Army and the Mongolian Armed Forces.

Interoperability is crucial in joint operations, particularly under multinational mandates like those of the United Nations (UN), ensuring seamless coordination between troops from different countries.

Training in Challenging Terrain under UN Mandate

This edition of the exercise placed specific emphasis on semi-conventional scenarios in semi-urban and mountainous terrain, which mirror real-world operational environments both nations could face. The training was conducted under a United Nations mandate, simulating peacekeeping and conflict resolution operations.

A UN mandate typically refers to international missions authorized by the United Nations to maintain peace, assist in humanitarian aid, or stabilize post-conflict zones.

These realistic and terrain-specific training modules are vital as they prepare both forces to operate as a combined task force during international missions or humanitarian assistance efforts.

The successful completion of Exercise NOMADIC ELEPHANT-2025 (if you want to refer to the current year) not only strengthens bilateral defense cooperation but also enhances the preparedness and coordination of both armies in tackling shared global security challenges.