The 18th edition of Indo-US joint military exercise ‘Yudh Abhyas’ is currently underway in Uttarakhand, about 100 km from the LAC. It aims to enhance interoperability and share expertise between the two armies in peacekeeping and disaster relief operations.
Image Credit source: File Photo
China said on Wednesday that he line of actual control Near (LAC) Indo-US joint military exercise opposes. Dragon said it violates the spirit of two border agreements signed between New Delhi and Beijing. The 18th edition of Indo-US joint military exercise ‘Yudh Abhyas’ is currently underway in Uttarakhand, about 100 km from the Line of Actual Control. It aims to enhance interoperability and share expertise between the two armies in peacekeeping and disaster relief operations.
This exercise, which lasts for about two weeks, has started recently. China had earlier criticized America for giving a statement on its border dispute with India. India has been consistently maintaining that peace and tranquility on the LAC is important for the overall development of bilateral relations. Indian and Chinese armies have held 16 rounds of Corps Commander level meetings to resolve the border standoff.
Violation of spirit of military drills agreement
“The joint military exercise between India and the US near the LAC on the China-India border violates the spirit of the agreements reached between China and India in 1993 and 1996,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told a media briefing here. In response to a question asked by a journalist from Pakistan, he said, “It does not meet the mutual trust between China and India.”
The Chinese Foreign Ministry’s reference to the 1993 and 1996 agreements is interesting as India in May 2020 termed the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) efforts to send large numbers of troops to disputed areas along the LAC in eastern Ladakh as a violation of bilateral agreements According to which the boundary dispute is to be resolved through peaceful and friendly consultations.
Exercise started from 19 November
Military exercises are conducted annually between India and the US with the aim of exchanging best practices, tactics, techniques and procedures between the armies of both the countries. The army tweeted on November 19, ‘The 18th edition of Indo-US joint exercise Yudh Abhyas began today at ‘Foreign Training Node’ Auli. The aim of the joint exercise is to enhance interoperability and share expertise between the two armies in peacekeeping and disaster relief operations.
US warned not to interfere
Earlier, China has warned American officials not to interfere in its relations with India. The Pentagon, the headquarters of the US Defense Department, has given this information in a report presented in the Congress (Parliament). In a report presented on Tuesday, the Pentagon has said that amid the confrontation with India on the LAC, Chinese officials have tried to downplay the seriousness of the crisis and emphasized that China’s intention is to maintain stability along the border and protect India’s security. At the same time, other areas of its bilateral relations have to be saved from the damage caused by the impasse. (input from language)
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