Exercise KAZIND-2026: 9th India-Kazakhstan Joint Military Exercise Begins at Oskemen, Focusing on Counter-Terrorism Operations
The 9th edition of the India-Kazakhstan Joint Military Exercise KAZIND-2026 commenced in Oskemen, Kazakhstan, on September 28, 2026, and will run until October 11. A 60-member Indian contingent led primarily by a Garhwal Rifles battalion trains alongside an equal Kazakhstani contingent on joint counter-terrorism operations in semi-urban and mountainous terrain, including Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and Counter-UAS techniques.
At a glance
9th KAZIND exercise began Sep 28, 2026 at Oskemen, Kazakhstan; runs till Oct 11. 60 Indian troops (Garhwal Rifles + IAF) train on joint counter-terrorism with Kazakhstani forces.
First edition to prominently feature UAS (drones) and Counter-UAS (C-UAS) operations alongside traditional CT drills in semi-urban/mountainous terrain.
India-Kazakhstan Strategic Partnership (2015); Kazakhstan key to India's Connect Central Asia Policy; both SCO members.
KAZIND = KAZakhstan + INDia; 9th edition; formerly PRABAL DOSTYK; series began 2016; previous edition at Auli, Uttarakhand.
Timeline
Why in News
The 9th edition of Exercise KAZIND-2026, the annual India-Kazakhstan Joint Military Exercise, commenced on September 28, 2026 at Oskemen, Kazakhstan, and will run until October 11, 2026. A 60-member Indian Armed Forces contingent, comprising primarily troops from a battalion of the Garhwal Rifles along with personnel from other arms, services, and the Indian Air Force (IAF), is participating alongside a Kazakhstani contingent of matching strength from the Kazakhstan Land Forces.
Background
Exercise KAZIND is the bilateral military exercise series between India and Kazakhstan, conducted annually since 2016. The exercise was originally named PRABAL DOSTYK before being renamed KAZIND (combining KAZakhstan and INDia) to reflect the deepening strategic partnership. It alternates venues between India and Kazakhstan.
| Edition | Year | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 7th | 2023 | Otar, Kazakhstan |
| 8th | 2024 | Auli, Uttarakhand, India |
| 9th | 2026 | Oskemen, Kazakhstan |
India-Kazakhstan bilateral relations were upgraded to a Strategic Partnership during PM Modi's visit to Kazakhstan in 2015. Kazakhstan, the world's 9th largest country, is central to India's Connect Central Asia Policy and plays a key role in regional energy security (it is a major uranium and oil exporter to India).
Key Features of KAZIND-2026
- Duration: September 28 – October 11, 2026.
- Location: Oskemen (formerly Ust-Kamenogorsk), East Kazakhstan.
- Indian contingent: 60 personnel — primarily Garhwal Rifles battalion; includes IAF personnel.
- Training focus: Joint counter-terrorism (CT) operations in semi-urban and mountainous terrain under a United Nations mandate.
- Drills covered: Raids, search-and-destroy, cordon-and-search operations.
- Technology focus: Joint planning and execution with Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and Counter-UAS (C-UAS) capabilities — a new dimension reflecting modern warfare requirements.
- Air mobility: Integration of air assets for troop insertion and extraction in mountainous terrain.
Key Facts
- Exercise name: KAZIND (Kazakhstan + India); formerly PRABAL DOSTYK.
- 9th edition: September 28 – October 11, 2026, Oskemen, Kazakhstan.
- Indian contingent: 60 personnel, led by Garhwal Rifles.
- Previous edition (8th): Auli, Uttarakhand, 2024.
- Exercise series commenced: 2016.
- Mandate scenario: United Nations mandate for counter-terrorism operations.
- New focus areas: UAS and Counter-UAS integration.
- India-Kazakhstan relations: Strategic Partnership since 2015.
- Kazakhstan is a member of: SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation), CSTO, CICA.
Constitutional Provisions
- Article 53(2) — Supreme command of the Defence Forces of the Union vested in the President.
- Entry 1, Union List — Defence of India and every part thereof; armed forces of the Union.
Institutional Framework
- Ministry of Defence, Government of India — Oversees bilateral military exercises; exercises are part of defence diplomacy.
- Indian Army (Eastern Command / Training Command) — Organises KAZIND.
- Ministry of External Affairs — Bilateral engagements with Kazakhstan under Connect Central Asia Policy.
- Kazakhstan Armed Forces (Land Forces) — Partner contingent.
- SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation) — India and Kazakhstan are both members; SCO's RATS (Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure) provides counter-terrorism intelligence cooperation that reinforces bilateral CT exercises.
Strategic Significance
- Central Asian engagement: Kazakhstan is India's primary strategic partner in Central Asia; KAZIND reinforces the Connect Central Asia Policy (launched 2012).
- Counter-terrorism cooperation: Both countries face shared threats from cross-border terrorism and extremist networks emanating from Afghanistan and Central Asian ungoverned spaces.
- SCO synergy: KAZIND complements multilateral CT cooperation within SCO-RATS.
- Energy security: Kazakhstan supplies uranium (for India's nuclear power programme) and crude oil; military-to-military ties reinforce bilateral energy cooperation.
- UAS/Counter-UAS relevance: India's experience with drone threats (especially on the western border) makes C-UAS doctrine exchange with partners like Kazakhstan operationally valuable.
India's Major Military Exercises with Central Asian Countries
| Exercise | Partners | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| KAZIND | India-Kazakhstan | Counter-terrorism, mountainous terrain |
| DUSTLIK | India-Uzbekistan | Counter-terrorism, sub-conventional warfare |
| KHANJAR | India-Kyrgyzstan | Counter-terrorism, mountainous terrain |
Way Forward
India's Connect Central Asia Policy and the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) provide the strategic infrastructure for deepening India-Kazakhstan ties beyond defence. Expanding KAZIND to include cyber and information warfare components, reflecting the evolving threat landscape, and institutionalising joint CT intelligence-sharing under SCO-RATS would strengthen both countries' response to transnational terrorism.
Possible Mains Questions
- How does India's military exercise diplomacy with Central Asian nations serve its strategic interests in the region? Use KAZIND as a case study. (GS-II, 150 words)
FAQ
- What is the full form of KAZIND?
- KAZIND is a portmanteau of KAZakhstan and INDia. It replaced the earlier name PRABAL DOSTYK (meaning "Strong Friendship" in Kazakh). The exercise has been held annually since 2016.
- What is the Garhwal Rifles?
- The Garhwal Rifles is an infantry regiment of the Indian Army, raised in 1887, with its regimental centre at Lansdowne, Uttarakhand. It is known for operations in mountain and high-altitude terrain, making it well-suited for exercises in Kazakhstan's mountainous eastern region.