Dharma Guardian 2026 Begins in Uttarakhand

• 28 Feb 2026

Why in News?

The 7th edition of the annual joint military exercise ‘Dharma Guardian’ between the Indian Army and the Japan Ground Self‑Defense Force (JGSDF) commenced in February 2026 at Chaubattia in Uttarakhand.

Key Points:

• Bilateral Defence Cooperation: Dharma Guardian is an annual military exercise between India and Japan, aimed at enhancing interoperability and operational coordination between the two forces. 
  • The Indian Army contingent is drawn from the Ladakh Scouts, while the JGSDF is represented by troops from the 32nd Infantry Regiment.
• Focus Areas: The exercise is designed to strengthen combined capabilities to conduct joint operations in semi‑urban environments, enhance tactical planning, synchronise drills, and incorporate modern technology and intelligence processes.
• Training Activities: The participating forces will undertake a range of tactical activities, including the establishment of a temporary operating base (TOB), development of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) grids, setting up mobile check posts, conducting cordon and search operations, executing heliborne operations, and performing house intervention drills.
• Strategic Significance: The exercise strengthens defence ties between India and Japan, contributes to regional security cooperation, and enhances mutual understanding, professionalism, and readiness of both forces for joint operational scenarios.
• Other India-Japan Military Exercises: JIMEX (Japan-India Maritime Exercise), Veer Guardian (air exercise), Shinyuu Maitri (air exercise), Sahyog Kaijin (coast guard), Malabar (India, Japan, Australia, and the United States).

Read More: Dharma Guardian 2025, ISR