India withdraws from multilateral war game in Russia

India on Saturday anunced that it is withdrawing from a multilateral war game in Russia next month, a week after confirming its participation in exercise that is also expected to be attended by Chinese and Pakistani troops.

In a late night statement, a defence ministry spokesperson said India has decided t to send its contingent to exercise in view of coronavirus pandemic and "consequent difficulties".

People familiar with development said China's participation in exercise was a major factor behind decision.

Last week India h conveyed to Russia that it will participate in strategic command-post exercise to be held in Astrakhan region in sourn Russia from September 15 to 26.

"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 t to send a contingent this year to Kavkaz-2020," Defence Ministry Spokesperson A Bharat Bhushan Babu said.

He said decision has been conveyed to Russian side.

It is learnt that decision was taken following deliberations between top brass of military and ministry of external affairs.

Indian and Chinese troops have been engd in a bitter standoff in several areas along Line of Actual Control in eastern Lakh for over three-and-half months. Both countries are holding talks at military and diplomatic levels to resolve dispute.

Around 20 countries including all member-nations of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) including China and Pakistan are expected to participate in Kavkaz exercise.

On Tuesday, Indian officials attended a meeting of representatives of participating countries in Volgogr which deliberated on various aspects of expercise.

India's decision t to participate in military drill comes ahe of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's scheduled visit to Russia next week to attend a crucial meeting of SCO.

SCO defence ministers' meeting is expected to deliberate on regional security scenario and geo-strategic developments.

India h earlier planned to send around 150 Indian Army troops, 45 Indian Air Force personnel and a number of Navy officers to multilateral military exercise.

Russia has been a major partner of India in defence sector and cooperation has been steily growing furr.

In June, a tri-services contingent from India participated at Victory Day Pare at iconic Red Square in Moscow to commemorate 75th anniversary of Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in Second World War. A contingent from China h also attended it.

Both India and China are members of SCO, an influential regional grouping.

SCO, seen as a counterweight to NATO, has emerged as one of largest transregional international organisations which accounts for almost 44 per cent of world population stretching from Arctic Ocean to Indian Ocean and from Pacific Ocean to Baltic Sea. 

(rep im from PTI)