Bold Kurukshetra 2025 to be Hosted in Jodhpur: Strengthening India–Singapore Defence Ties

The 14th edition of India Singapore joint military exercise Bold Kurukshetra 2025, was held in Jodhpur commencing on 27 July 2025 with the participation of Indian Army Mechanised Infantry and Singapore Armoured Regiment 42. The practice will take place in tabletop and computer-assisted tactical war games and extensively based on UN-style built-in peacekeeping coordination. This is an annual exercise that enhances strategic partnership between the two countries under its Defence Cooperation Accord. It is important to note that it demonstrates the emerging interoperability trend among Indians in the Indo-Pacific. Military camaraderie and trust is denoted by ceremonial passing of the regimental flag.

Context

• Name of event: Bold Kurukshetra 2025 Joint Military Exercise
• Date: 27 July 2025 till 4 August 2025
• Place: Jodhpur, Rajasthan
• Goal: Supplement cooperation in defence bilateral operational interoperability & peacekeeping

Bold Kurukshetra 2025 Key Features

Participants:

• India:Mechanised Infantry Regiment
• Singapore: 42 Singapore Armoured Regiment

Commanders:

• Colonel Arjun Ganapathi and Indian side
• Singapore group headed by Lt. Colonel Khiew Zhi Yoong
• Brigadier Pritam (India) and Colonel Wong Zeng Yu of Singapore (India), were chief guests of the day.

Exercise Activities:

• Tactical table top simulations
• Warfighting games in computers
• Emphasis on simulations in the manner of the UN-style, coordination, and peacekeeping
• Spectacle of mechanised Indian army resources
• Flag exchange of a regiment that signified trust and union

IndiaSingapore Defence

Defence Cooperation Agreement:

• It was signed in 2003, updated in 2015 and 2023
• Lay stress on common training, information exchange, and strategic accessibility

Other Joint Exercises:

• SIMBEX (Naval)
• Agni Warrior (Artillery)

Key Partnerships:

• White Shipping Agreements
• Entry of Indian ships to Changi Naval Base
• Regular Defence Working Group Group meetings

Geostrategic Importance

• Singapore’s Role:
  • One of the biggest allies of the Indian Act East Policy
  • Southeast Asia major centre of maritime trade and defence.
• The Regional Role of India:
  • IP Security provider in Indian Ocean Region
  • International rules, disaster relief, and UN peacekeeping emphasis
• Bold Kurukshetra is in favour of:
  • Multilateral interoperability Interoperability towards multilateral operations
  • Ability to be ready at a regional and global level in real time

Conclusion

Kurukshetra 2025 is also an expert of the strengthening of strategic relations between India and Singapore within the overall system of the Indo-Pacific partnership and UN peacekeeping capabilities. It indicates the interest that India shows to regional stability, its military readiness and capacity building with its trusted partners. The military trust and bilateral defense convergence are further enhanced through the ceremony flag exchange.