Meaning and Participants
DUSTLIK is a bilateral military exercise conducted between the Indian Army and the Uzbekistan Army.
The word “Dustlik” means friendship in Uzbek.
The exercise is aimed at strengthening:
- military cooperation;
- interoperability;
- tactical coordination;
- counter-terrorism capabilities;
- exchange of operational experience.
It has become an important component of the growing India–Uzbekistan defence partnership.
Nature of the Exercise
DUSTLIK primarily focuses on joint tactical operations in a counter-terrorism environment.
Typical training components include:
- joint planning;
- room intervention and close-quarter battle;
- cordon and search operations;
- use of drones and surveillance systems;
- casualty evacuation;
- combat medical response;
- small-team tactical manoeuvres;
- coordination between infantry units.
The exercise generally simulates operations in semi-urban or complex terrain, where forces may have to neutralise terrorist threats while minimising collateral damage.
Strategic Significance
DUSTLIK is important because India and Uzbekistan share common security concerns relating to:
- terrorism;
- radicalisation;
- extremist networks;
- instability in Afghanistan;
- narcotics trafficking;
- cross-border organised crime.
Uzbekistan’s location in Central Asia and its proximity to Afghanistan make it strategically relevant for India.
The exercise helps both armies:
- improve interoperability;
- understand each other’s operational doctrines;
- exchange counter-terrorism experience;
- build military-to-military trust;
- strengthen regional security cooperation.
It also complements India’s broader engagement with Central Asia through defence training, joint exercises and security dialogue.
Latest Edition
The latest edition of Exercise DUSTLIK was held in Uzbekistan in April 2026.
The exercise involved contingents from the Indian Army and Uzbekistan Army and continued the focus on:
- counter-terrorism;
- joint tactical operations;
- interoperability;
- modern battlefield technologies.
The increasing regularity of DUSTLIK reflects the expansion of India–Uzbekistan relations from traditional diplomatic engagement towards a more substantive strategic and defence partnership.
