Defence & SecurityImportant2025-04-15

India-Uzbekistan Joint Military Exercise DUSTLIK 2025

Q: Which of the following statements regarding Exercise DUSTLIK is/are correct? 1. It is a joint military exercise conducted between India and Kazakhstan. 2. The 2025 edition of the exercise focused on counter-terrorism maneuvers in semi-mountainous terrain under a UN mandate.

2 only — Statement 1 is incorrect because Exercise DUSTLIK is conducted between India and Uzbekistan, not Kazakhstan (India-Kazakhstan exercise is KAZIND). Statement 2 is correct as the 2025 edition in Pune focused on tactical land navigation and counter-terrorism operations under a United Nations mandate.

In News

What Happened

The 6th edition of the India-Uzbekistan joint military exercise 'DUSTLIK' took place from April 15 to April 28, 2025, at the Foreign Training Node in Aundh, Pune. The exercise involved 60 personnel from each nation, with the Indian contingent represented by the Mahar Regiment and the Indian Air Force. The drills focused on joint operations, tactical land navigation, and counter-terrorism maneuvers in semi-mountainous terrain under a UN mandate.

Why It Matters

This exercise is a key component of India's 'Connect Central Asia Policy', enhancing military interoperability and strategic trust with Uzbekistan. It strengthens collaborative efforts against regional terrorism and secures India's geopolitical interests in resource-rich Central Asia.

Background

History & Context

Exercise DUSTLIK was inaugurated in November 2019 near Tashkent, Uzbekistan, to build defense ties and combat shared security threats. The exercise alternates annually between the two nations, serving as a platform to share best practices in counter-terrorism. It complements multilateral engagements like the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation's Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (SCO RATS), aligning with India's broader diplomatic outreach to post-Soviet Central Asian republics.

What Changed

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BEFORE: The 5th edition of Exercise DUSTLIK was hosted in the Termez District of Uzbekistan in April 2024. NOW: The 6th edition in 2025 shifted to Indian soil, taking place at the Foreign Training Node in Aundh, Pune.
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BEFORE: The Indian Army contingent in the 2024 edition was primarily represented by troops from the Jat Regiment. NOW: The 2025 edition integrated troops from the Mahar Regiment along with participation from the Indian Air Force.
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BEFORE: Initial bilateral defense cooperation relied heavily on standard military training and capacity building. NOW: The exercises have evolved into complex, multi-domain operations featuring tactical land navigation and advanced counter-terrorism drills in semi-mountainous terrain.

Prelims Angle

NCERT Connection

This event connects to Class 12 Political Science Chapter 2, 'The End of Bipolarity', which covers the emergence of independent Central Asian states after the disintegration of the Soviet Union. Exercise DUSTLIK exemplifies India's modern foreign policy approach to building bilateral strategic and military ties with these post-Soviet republics to ensure regional stability.

Practice Questions

Q1

Correct Statement(s)

Which of the following statements regarding Exercise DUSTLIK is/are correct? 1. It is a joint military exercise conducted between India and Kazakhstan. 2. The 2025 edition of the exercise focused on counter-terrorism maneuvers in semi-mountainous terrain under a UN mandate.

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