China objected to the joint exercise, which led to the “Yudh Abhyas” exercise, a joint military exercise between the Indian Army and US troops, being the latest flashpoint between New Delhi and Beijing. India, however, strongly rejected China’s objection, claiming it was an internal affair. On Friday, the US also rejected China’s rejection, mirroring India’s response.
The US rejected China’s objections that the military drill will take place close to the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Uttarakhand. The US government declared that it is “none of their business.”
The recently appointed US Charge d’Affaires to New Delhi, Ambassador Elizabeth Jones, added that Washington is interested in aiding New Delhi’s efforts to become more capable and that its capacities are focused in directions it sees as crucial.
In an interaction with a group of journalists, she said the US’s ties with India is one of its “most consequential” relationships and that Washington sees a natural partnership between the two sides in a range of critical areas including defence technology and climate change.
She stated that the US has one of its “most consequential” relationships with India and that Washington sees the two countries working together naturally in a number of crucial fields, such as climate change and defence technology.
Also Read: AIIMS data breach sparks fear; hackers could misuse information
Here’s what is China claims
The “Yudh Abhyas” exercise in Auli in Uttarakhand is being contested by the Chinese foreign ministry, which asserts that it is in violation of border accords that China and India signed in 1993 and 1996.
Arindam Bagchi, a spokesperson for the external affairs ministry, responded, “Military exercise in Auli has got nothing to do with the 1993 and 1996 agreements,” when asked about the Chinese response to the drill.
He also said that “India exercises with whomsoever it chooses to and it does not give a Veto to third countries on this issue.”
The 1996 arrangement was about confidence-building measures in the military field along the LAC with China in the India-China border areas, whereas the 1993 agreement is about maintaining peace and calm along the LAC with China in the India-China border areas.
China expressed its opposition to the joint military drills between India and the US on Wednesday, claiming that they were against the spirit of the two border accords that Beijing and New Delhi had signed.
100 kilometres separate the exercise’s location from the Line of Actual Control.
In Auli, about 100 km from the LAC, the 18th edition of the India-US joint military exercise “Yudh Abhyas” is now in progress (Line of Actual Control). It seeks to improve coordination and knowledge transfer between the two forces for peacekeeping and disaster relief operations. The nearly two-week exercise began earlier this month.
For all the news update subscribe our YouTube channel ‘DNP India’. You can also follow us on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM and TWITTER.