China on Wednesday opposed the 18th edition of the ongoing Indo-US joint military exercise ‘Yudh Abhyas’ in Uttarakhand.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said Beijing opposed the joint Indo-US military exercise being held near the Line of Actual Control (LAC), saying it was against the spirit of the two border agreements signed between New Delhi and Beijing. violates.
The site of the military exercise is 100 km from the actual line
Indo-US joint military exercise is currently going on in Uttarakhand, about 100 km from the Line of Actual Control (LAC). It aims to enhance interoperability and share expertise between the two armies in peacekeeping and disaster relief operations. The nearly two-week exercise began earlier this month.
In response to a question asked by a Pakistani correspondent, he said, “China has expressed concern to the Indian side over the military exercise.”
China cites 1993 and 1996 agreements
“The joint military exercises conducted by India and the US near the LAC violated the spirit of the relevant agreements signed by China and India in 1993 and 1996 and helped build bilateral trust,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told a media briefing here. Didn’t.”
The Chinese Foreign Ministry’s reference to the 1993 and 1996 agreements is interesting as India has criticized the efforts of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) to move large numbers of troops to disputed areas in the LAC in eastern Ladakh in May 2020 as a violation of bilateral agreements. Agreed that the boundary question is to be resolved through peaceful and friendly consultations.
Military exercises are conducted annually between India and the US with an aim to exchange best practices, tactics, techniques and procedures between the armies of both the countries.
“The 18th edition of Indo-US joint exercise #YudhAbhyas began today at Foreign Training Node, Auli.
The objective of the joint exercise is to enhance interoperability and share expertise in peacekeeping and disaster relief operations between the two armies. #IndianArmy #IndiaUSFriendship,” the Indian Army tweeted on November 19.
Officials said the previous edition of the exercise was conducted in October 2021 at Joint Base Elmdorf Richardson, Alaska, US.
The Defense Ministry had said here on November 15 that US Army personnel from the 2nd Brigade of the 11th Airborne Division and Indian Army personnel from the Assam Regiment would participate in the exercise.
The joint exercise will also focus on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations.
The ministry said that troops of both the countries will exercise to launch quick and coordinated relief efforts in the wake of any natural calamity.
The exercise between the armies of India and US will help both the armies to enhance their technologies through sharing of their vast experience, skills and exchange of information.
In August, the Chinese military expressed similar concerns over the Indo-US military exercise.
Since the Galwan Valley clash between the Chinese and Indian armies in June 2020, bilateral relations between the two countries have suffered a severe blow.
India has consistently maintained that peace on the LAC is important for the overall development of bilateral relations with China.
(with PTI inputs)
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