"Tiger Triumph represents the growing strength, sophistication, and shared commitment of the U.S.-India Major Defense Partnership," he was quoted as saying by the US Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) website.

"Our bilateral training reinforces our shared commitment to regional stability, refines our combined operational coordination, and prepares our forces to rapidly respond to crises and natural disasters in the region," he added.

The opening ceremony of the fifth edition of the India-US Bilateral Tri-Service Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Exercise, Tiger Triumph 2026, was held in Visakhapatnam on Monday.

The exercise aims to strengthen coordination, joint planning and interoperability between the armed forces of the two countries during large-scale humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.

The ceremony was presided over by Rear Admiral Vishal Bishnoi, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet, and Rear Admiral Joaquin Martinez de Pinillos, Vice Commander of the US Pacific Fleet.

According to a statement issued by the Indian Ministry of Defence, the exercise reflects the growing convergence of India-US strategic maritime interests and the deepening defence partnership between the two countries.

The latest edition seeks to further enhance interoperability and facilitate Combined Joint All-Domain Operations, with particular emphasis on joint planning and coordination for large-scale HADR missions.

Marking the fifth iteration of the exercise series since its inception in 2019, Tiger Triumph 2026 features staff planning, all-domain tabletop exercises and specialised command, control, cyber and space synchronisation activities.

Besides bilateral operational planning, participating personnel will take part in subject-matter expert exchanges, community outreach programmes and cultural events aimed at fostering lasting professional relationships, according to the US Indo-Pacific Command website.

Who are participating in Tiger Triumph 2026?

The Indian contingent comprises specialists from various domains of maritime operations of the Indian Navy, ground forces from the Indian Army and representatives from different units of the Indian Air Force. Special Forces personnel from all three services are also participating in the exercise.

For the first time, a team from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) will participate in the fifth edition of Tiger Triumph.

The US Joint Force comprises specialists representing various branches of the US Armed Forces, including the Air Force, Army, Marine Corps and Navy. Experts from the domains of Space, Cyber, Medical and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) are also taking part in the exercise.