India has strongly reacted to China’s objection to the joint Indo-US military exercise near the Line of Actual Control in Uttarakhand’s Auli. Dismissing its objection, India has curtly told China that it did not give a veto to sovreign countries on these issues. India asked the neighbouring country to look within in regard to “border agreements” it is referring to.
“India exercises with whomsoever it chooses to, and it does not give a veto to third countries on this issue,” stated Indian foreign ministry spokesman Arindam Bagchi in a video. Holding that the exercises had nothing to do with the agreements China referred to. “But since these were raised, the Chinese side needs to reflect upon and think upon its own breach of these agreements,” he added further.
He was responding to China’s Wednesday statement that the Indo-US joint-military exercises “violated the spirit of relevant agreements” between Beijing and New Delhi. “It does not serve the mutual trust between China and India. China has expressed concerns to the Indian side over the military exercise,” foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told to the media in Beijing.
Earlier this week, the US Department of Defense said in a report that China “warned” US officials not to interfere in its relations with India following the border skirmishes. At present, 18th annual edition of joint exercises known as “Yudh Abhyas” is going in Auli. US and India hold it alternately. The aim is to exchange best practices, tactics, techniques and procedures of the two armies.
Rising tension between India-China
India and China have sour relations due to several border skirmishes. The recent bloody border clash in 2020 led to martyrdom of 20 Indian soldiers. Several Chinese soldiers also died during the incident in the Ladakh area. Consequently, the two countries have deployed increasing number of artillery, tanks and fighter jets along the disputed border. Besides, infrastructure build up is rapidly happening in the Himalayan mountains.
MEA spokesman Arindam Bagchi rebuked China for raising objections to the ongoing joint Indo-US military exercise in Auli, Uttarakhand.