India and China Will Hold Hand-in-Hand Exercise
The joint military drill will take place in Meghalaya this December, involving troops from both nations.
Updated on Oct. 11, 2026 in Military
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India and China will conduct the Hand-in-Hand joint military exercise in Meghalaya in December 2026. The training session aims to enhance the capacity of troops to respond to counter-terror emergency situations.
Why it matters
The exercise serves as a platform to improve operational cooperation and communication between the two armies. It follows a year where transgressions along the Line of Actual Control decreased, signaling potential shifts in border relations.
Nearly 130 troops from the Indian Army and 130 troops from the People's Liberation Army will participate in the drill. This marks a continuation of the bilateral training program that was last held in December 2025 in Chengdu.
The players
Narendra Modi
As the Prime Minister of India, he has engaged in informal summits with Chinese leadership to address bilateral relations.
Xi Jinping
He serves as the President of China and has participated in high-level informal summits regarding regional stability.
Indian Army
This is the land-based branch of the Indian Armed Forces tasked with national defense and border security.
People's Liberation Army
This organization is the principal military force of the People's Republic of China and the armed wing of the Communist Party.
The details
The exercise involves company-size contingents from the Indian Army and the Tibetan Military District of the PLA. Both nations have also increased the frequency of flag meetings recently, while Special Representatives are expected to meet soon for border talks.
Timeline
The Hand-in-Hand exercise was cancelled in 2017 due to the 72-day Doklam standoff.
The previous joint exercise occurred in December 2025 in Chengdu, China.
The upcoming military exercise is scheduled for December 2026 in Meghalaya.
Political Context
The upcoming exercise marks a resumption of cooperation that was halted by the 2017 Doklam military standoff. However, skepticism remains among strategic observers regarding whether these drills will lead to a permanent resolution of long-standing border disputes.
The exercise signals a potential stabilization in border relations that could reduce the frequency of tense military standoffs. For the international community, this indicates a move toward increased dialogue between the two nations after years of volatility.
The takeaway
Diplomatic efforts between India and China are currently focused on using military exercises to foster improved communication. These sessions provide a structured environment to handle potential escalations and manage border tensions effectively.
Further reading
For broader analysis on regional security efforts, visit the Military section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Eleven Media Group Co., Ltd.
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