US and Pakistani troops have concluded a joint military training exercise, ‘Inspired Gambit 2026’, at the National Counter-Terrorism Centre in Pabbi, drawing sharp political reactions in India, with the Congress calling it a setback to the Modi government’s foreign policy narrative. American and Pakistani soldiers wrapped up the two-week exercise, held from January 8 to 16, with a focus on combined infantry skills, tactical coordination and counterterrorism operations. ADVERTISEMENTAccording to a statement issued by the US Central Command (Centcom), training exercises such as this “strengthen our long-standing defence ties” with Pakistan. Military-to-military ties between Pakistan and the United States appear to be strengthening, marked by fresh joint training initiatives, major defence sales and unusually warm rhetoric from US President Donald Trump towards Pakistan’s military leadership, Dawn reported on Saturday. Reacting to the joint exercise, the Congress took a swipe at the Modi government.

Source: The Telegraph January 17, 2026 06:36 UTC