12th India-Kyrgyzstan Joint Special Forces exercise, KHANJAR-XII, ended on March 23, 2025, in Tokmok, Kyrgyzstan. The twice-a-year military exercise starting from March 10 was designed to deepen cooperation and interoperability between the special forces of both nations.
The elite forces of the two countries' India Parachute Regiment (Special Forces) and Scorpion Brigade were intensely trained with a mission to undertake counter-terror operations and special operations in mountains and cities.
The central modules of the training were house interventions, sniper missions, and high-altitude missions, which were all aimed at hardening the forces for higher operational altitudes.
Aside from these war drills, KHANJAR-XII also involved cultural exchanges such as a Nowruz celebration, a significant Kyrgyz holiday.
This cultural exchange only helped to further cement the friendship of the two countries' officers more so, leading to greater understanding and goodwill towards one another.
The exercise is a demonstration of the robust strategic partnership between India and Kyrgyzstan, which is a reflection of their collective resolve in addressing shared security issues like terrorism and extremism.
Through increased military readiness and coordination, the two nations reiterate their belief in regional peace and stability. Success in KHANJAR-XII is a proof of the utility of bilateral exercises in cultivating security relations between India and Kyrgyzstan.
