America rejects China's opposition to 'war exercise' with India, says it has nothing to do with it

The United States on Friday echoed India's view, rejecting Chinese opposition to the Indo-US joint military exercise. Rejecting China's objection to this war exercise going on near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Uttarakhand, the US said that it has 'nothing to do with them'.

Newly appointed US Embassy Charge d'Affaires in New Delhi, Ambassador Elizabeth Jones said Washington has an interest in supporting New Delhi's efforts to make India a more capable country. Talking to reporters, Jones said the Indo-US relationship is one of the most important for the US and Washington sees potential for partnership between the two sides in many important areas, including defense technology and climate change. When asked about the Chinese objection to the ongoing Indo-US military exercise in Uttarakhand, Jones said, "I think I will reiterate the statement of my Indian colleagues in this regard that they have nothing to do with it." Earlier, on Wednesday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry protested against the ongoing 'war exercise' in Auli, Uttarakhand, claiming that the exercise was in violation of the agreement between China and India in the years 1993 and 1996.

When asked about the Chinese reaction, Indian Foreign Ministry spokesman Arindam Bagchi told the media on Thursday, "The military exercise in Auli has nothing to do with the agreements reached in 1993 and 1996."He said that India He can do military exercises with whoever he wants and he does not give 'veto' to any third country in this matter. The Indo-US joint military exercise 'Yudhabhyas' is being conducted at Auli, 100 km from the LAC.

Significantly, China has also warned US officials not to interfere in its relations with India. In fact, the Pentagon, the headquarters of the US Department of Defense, has informed in a report presented in the Congress (Parliament) that during the year 2021, the PLA has increased military forces on a section of the India-China border.