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## Overview The India-Uzbekistan bilateral joint military exercise, known as "DUSTLIK," is a recurring annual exercise now in its 7th edition (Times of India, April 2026). An Indian Army contingent has departed for Uzbekistan to participate in the latest iteration, focused on joint operations in semi-mountainous terrain and counter-insurgency tactics. ## Exercise Details (7th Edition) - **Location**: Uzbekistan - **Focus**: Joint operations in semi-mountainous terrain; tactical drills; special operations against unlawful armed groups (Times of India, April 2026) - **Objectives**: Enhanced military cooperation, interoperability, and testing of special skills for neutralizing non-state armed actors ## Strategic Context DUSTLIK is part of India's broader Central Asia engagement strategy. Uzbekistan is a key partner in India's Connect Central Asia initiative and serves as a logistics and cultural bridge for Indian interests in the region. The exercise also reflects shared concerns about instability emanating from Afghanistan and the broader Central Asian security environment. ## Significance - **India's Central Asia pivot**: Regular military exercises with Uzbekistan signal India's intent to deepen security ties beyond its immediate neighborhood. - **Counterterrorism cooperation**: The focus on neutralizing unlawful armed groups aligns with both nations' concerns about cross-border militancy from Afghanistan. - **Interoperability**: Building military interoperability with Central Asian states has long-term value for potential coalition operations or humanitarian missions in the region. ## Recurrence As a 7th-edition exercise, DUSTLIK has an established track record and is expected to continue annually. Future editions may expand in scope or incorporate additional domains (cyber, logistics) as India-Uzbekistan ties deepen.