Why in the News?
- The 18th edition of India-Mongolia Joint Military Exercise NOMADIC ELEPHANT commenced on 21 September 2026 at the Foreign Training Node, Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand.
- The exercise will continue till 03 October 2026.
Key Highlights
- Participants: Indian Army and Mongolian Armed Forces.
- Strength: 45 personnel each.
- Nature: Annual platoon-level military exercise.
- Conducted alternately in India and Mongolia.
- 17th edition: Held at Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, in May-June 2025.
- Focus: Enhancing joint military capability for Counter-Insurgency Operations.
- Terrain: Semi-urban and mountainous terrain.
- Operations conducted under a United Nations Mandate.
India-Mongolia Defence Cooperation
- Strengthens defence cooperation between India and Mongolia.
- Enhances interoperability and joint operational capability.
- Reinforces bilateral friendship and mutual trust.
UPSC Prelims Trap
- NOMADIC ELEPHANT is an India-Mongolia exercise, not an India-Nepal or India-Bhutan exercise.
- It is conducted alternately in India and Mongolia.
- It is a platoon-level exercise, not a tri-service exercise.
- The 2026 edition is being held at Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand, while the previous edition was held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
