‘None of their business’: US rejects China’s opposition to ‘Yudh Abhyas’ joint military exercise with India

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.

Introduction

Asserting that it is “none of their business,” the US on Friday rejected China’s opposition to an India-US joint military drill near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Uttarakhand. The recently appointed US Charge d’Affaires to New Delhi, Ambassador Elizabeth Jones, also stated that Washington will support New Delhi’s initiatives to improve its capacity to address security challenges in the region and that Washington views its relations with New Delhi as one of our “most consequential relationships.” This post is included with the facts on ‘Yudh Abhyas’ joint military exercise with India. Have a look on this matter. Read: Promise of marriage made to a married woman no ground for rape: Kerala HC

Meeting between US and China

Regarding the meeting between US Vice President Joe Biden and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping that took place last month on the fringes of the G20 Summit in Bali, Jones said it doesn’t portend a reconciliation between the two countries and that the US remains dedicated to the Indo-Pacific. The American official added that the strength of the US-Indian relationship enables Washington and New Delhi to openly debate social issues. Read Also: India successfully launches Vikram-S, first privately made rocket

Yudh Abhyas, a massive military exercise

Jones responded, “I guess I would point it to the kind of statements that we heard from our Indian colleagues to the effect that it is really none of their business,” when questioned about China’s protest to the India-US military exercise in Auli, Uttarakhand. Yudh Abhyas, a massive military exercise that lasted over two weeks and took place at a military base around 100 kilometers from the LAC, came to an end on Friday.

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 to inquiries on the stance taken by China during a weekly media briefing by saying, “Military exercise in Auli has had nothing to do with the 1993 and 1996 agreements.”

India “exercises with whomever it chooses to and it does not grant a Veto to third countries on this matter,” according to Bagchi.

The 1996 accord was about confidence-building measures in the military arena along the LAC with China in the India-China Border Areas, whereas the 1993 agreement is about sustaining peace and tranquility along the LAC with China in the India-China Border Areas.

Jones responded, “It is something for India to talk about,” in response to a different query about how the US can assist India in dealing with a combative China. Our goal is to assist India in enhancing its capabilities and ensuring that its resources are used in ways that the country views as crucial. We are here to provide help, but it is up to the Indian leadership to decide what it needs and wants, the woman stated.

According to Jones, Washington views India and the US as a natural partner, and defense cooperation between the two nations is advancing.

She added that American defense companies are interested in taking part in co-production projects. She said the US is also focusing on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s aim to enhance defense production as part of the Make in India initiative.

“Conversations, meetings, and exercises are ongoing to ensure that we have a good knowledge of each other’s capabilities and how we might be able to work,” she said.

According to Jones, the purpose of the Xi-Biden meeting in Bali last month was to have discussions about subjects where the US and China genuinely disagree.

“I wouldn’t interpret this as a reason to be concerned about the US’s relations with India or its views on the Indo-Pacific. We are as dedicated as ever to achieving our objectives in the Indo-Pacific area, according to Jones.

“In the US, the treatment of ethnic, racial, and religious minorities receives a lot of attention, just as it does here (India),” she added in reference to social concerns. We have comparable experiences and comparable difficulties in those social domains, so we can learn from one another about how to encourage tolerant behavior among various societies, Jones said.

The Final Take

We constantly discuss this with our Indian coworkers, she continued. One advantage of the “consequential relationship,” according to Jones, is that a wide range of topics, both simple and complex, can be discussed. We have been talking about this for a while, and we will keep talking about it, she said.