The Jat Regiment contingent that will take part in Exercise Khaan Quest 2026. (Photo: Indian Army)
New Delhi: An Indian Army contingent departed on Thursday for Mongolia to take part in Exercise Khaan Quest 2026, a multilateral military exercise focused on UN peacekeeping operations. The drills are scheduled to run from June 20 to July 3 at the Five Hills Training Area outside Ulaanbaatar.
The 40-strong contingent is drawn from a battalion of the Jat Regiment, supplemented by personnel from other arms and services.
Now in its 23rd iteration, Khaan Quest began in 2003 as a bilateral exercise between the United States and Mongolian armed forces before expanding in 2006 into a multilateral peacekeeping training event. The previous edition was held in Mongolia from June 14–28, 2025.
The exercise is structured around Chapter VII of the UN Charter, which governs enforcement action in situations involving threats to international peace and security. Participating contingents will train in joint planning and a range of tactical drills, including the establishment of static and mobile checkpoints, cordon-and-search operations, patrolling, civilian evacuation from hostile areas, counter-IED procedures, combat first aid, and casualty evacuation.
The format is designed to build interoperability among forces from diverse military traditions, enabling them to operate cohesively under a unified command structure – a prerequisite for effective UN peacekeeping deployments.
India has been a consistent contributor to UN peacekeeping missions over several decades, fielding troops across conflict zones in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Its participation in Khaan Quest fits within that broader posture of multilateral engagement, as well as its developing strategic relationship with Mongolia, with which it has maintained diplomatic ties since 1955.
