India has decided to withdraw from a multi-nation army exercise in Russia next month. Just a week after New Delhi had confirmed its participation.
According to reports, last week India had conveyed to Russia that it will participate in the strategic command-post exercise to be held in the Astrakhan region in southern Russia from 15 to 26 September.
“Russia and India are close and privileged strategic partners. At Russia’s invitation India has been participating in many international events. However, in view of Pandemic and consequent difficulties in exercise, including arrangements of logistics. India has decided not to send a contingent this year to Kavkaz-2020,” said Defence Ministry Spokesperson A Bharat Bhushan Babu.
“A decision has been taken to not participate in the exercise,” said a source.
Earlier Indian and Chinese troops have been involved violent standoff in Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh for over three-and-half months.
India is about to send around 150 Indian Army troops, 45 Indian Air Force personnel and a number of Navy officers to the multilateral military exercise.
However, Russia has been a major partner of India in the defence sector and the cooperation has been constantly growing further.
