- The Indian Army team departed for the fifth edition of Exercise DUSTLIK in Uzbekistan.
- Exercise DUSTLIK is an annual event that alternates between India and Uzbekistan.
- It is called after the village of Dustlik in Uzbekistan’s Jizzakh region.
- The inaugural version of the exercise took place in 2019 near Tashkent.
- The previous event was held at Pithoragarh, India, in February 2023.
Objectives and focus areas
- They include physical fitness, joint planning, and tactical drills.
- The emphasis is on special weapons skills and multi-domain operations.
- Tactical drills involve setting up command posts, intelligence centres, heliborne operations, and room intervention.
- Incorporating combat support weaponry and services in addition to infantry.
- An opportunity to communicate joint operation tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs).
- Strengthening interoperability and camaraderie amongst soldiers from both countries.
India’s bilateral exercises with Central Asian Countries
| Country | Exercise |
| Kazakhstan | Ex PRABAL DOSTYK, Ex KAZIND |
| Kyrgyzstan | Ex KHANJAR |
| Mongolia | Ex NOMADIC ELEPHANT |
| Tajikistan | Ex Farkhor |
Source: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1900754