INDIAN ARMY CONTINGENT DEPARTS FOR INDIA- UZBEKISTAN JOINT MILITARY EXERCISE DUSTLIK

• Exercise DUSTLIK is the annual bilateral joint military exercise between the Indian and Uzbek armed forces, held alternately in the two countries.
• The 7th edition (2026) is being held at Gurumsaray Field Training Area, Namangan, Uzbekistan, 12–25 April 2026.
• Significance for UPSC: anchor of India's Central Asia outreach, links to "Connect Central Asia" policy, counter-terror cooperation, and defence diplomacy in GS-II/III.