Spooked China objects to India-US military exercise, complains 'not helping build trust'

Rattled by the ongoing bilateral military exercise between the US and India in Uttarakhand's Auli, China has officially objected to the 'Yudh Abhyas' saying it is not helping build trust. "The joint military exercise between India and US close to the LAC, the China-India border violates the spirit of the agreements signed between China and India in 1993 and 1996", Zhao Lijian, China's foreign ministry spokesperson said.

"It does not serve the mutual trust between China and India. China has already expressed concerns to the Indian side", he added. 

Commenced on November 16, Yudh Abhyas will last 15 days and is being carried out 100 km from the LAC (Line of Actual Control), the reason why Beijing is objecting to the India-US military exercise. 

Although China is calling the military exercise a violation of agreements, the deal between the two countries is to inform the other party about any military training so as to avoid the misunderstanding of war preparation from the other side. The Yudh Abhyas 2022 is the 18th edition of the bilateral military exercise wherein the Indo-US armies "will focus on the employment of an infantry Battalion Group in Peacekeeping and Disaster Relief operations under the UN Mandate".  

According to an official Ministry of Defense press release, the soldiers participating in this exercise are the 2nd Brigade of the US Army's 11th Airborne Division and Indian Army soldiers from the Assam Regiment and the training regimen of Yudh Abhyas 2022 focuses on the employment of integrated battle groups under Chapter VII of the United Nations mandate.  

In the pictures shared from the training site, the soldiers of the two sides were also seen practicing yoga exercises along with engaging in training of unarmed combat, rock climbing, trap shooting and logistic procedures. While the current edition is being conducted in Uttarakhand, the Indian Army travelled to the Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson, Alaska, where the previous edition was held.