The United States (US) Army contingent has arrived in India to take part in the 16th edition of the India-US joint Special Forces exercise Vajra Prahar, which is scheduled to be conducted at the Special Forces Training School (SFTS) in Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh, from 24 February to 16 March 2026. The previous edition of the exercise took place at the Orchard Combat Training Centre in Idaho in November 2024. The Indian Army is participating with Special Forces units comprising 45 personnel while the United States Special Forces (US Special Forces) will be represented by 12 personnel from the Green Berets.

Exercise Vajra Prahar aims to promote military cooperation between India and the United States (US) through enhanced interoperability, jointness and the mutual exchange of special operations tactics. It has been designed to strengthen combined capabilities for conducting joint special forces operations in mountainous terrain and to refine procedures relevant to that environment. The exercise schedule emphasises shared planning and coordination to improve the capacity of both forces to operate together.

The training will focus on a high degree of physical conditioning, joint mission planning and the execution of joint tactical drills, with participating troops exchanging best practices and operational experience. Instruction and drills will concentrate on tactics, techniques and procedures relevant to special operations in mountain terrain and on refining mission planning under challenging conditions. Emphasis will also be placed on interoperability of command and control arrangements and on the logistics necessary to sustain complex joint operations.

The exercise is expected to deepen interoperability, mutual trust and professional camaraderie between the Special Forces of both nations and to reinforce the growing defence partnership between India and the United States. Organisers expect the interaction to contribute to long term professional relationships and to the sharing of lessons that have broader applicability to multilateral cooperation. The conduct of the exercise at SFTS is intended to consolidate practical ties and to provide a framework for future joint activity.