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The 16th edition of the Indo-US joint military exercise Yudh Abhyas commenced at the Mahajan field firing range located at the Bikaner district of Rajasthan, close to the India-Pakistan border. The US Army contingent comprising of a Brigade Headquarters and a Battalion group of 2nd Battalion the 3rd Infantry Regiment of 1-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team comprising of 270 persons landed at Suratgarh Air force station on February 6. About 250 Indian army soldiers are participating in the exercise, the 11th Battalion of Jammu and Kashmir Rifles, part of the South Western Command will represent the Indian Army in the exercise.

The exercises began after a formal ceremony on Monday where the national anthems of both the countries were played and will continue till the 21st of this month. The previous version of this annual exercise was held in Seattle in the United States. The Indian Army extended a warm welcome as per military etiquettes to the US Army contingent, followed by an exchange of pleasantries between contingent commanders and soldiers of both armies.

Brigadier Mukesh Bhanwala, Commander of the 170 Infantry Brigade of the Indian army welcomed the US contingent at the firing range and impressed upon both the armies to achieve optimum cohesion and interoperability during the exercise. He also stressed upon the importance of the free exchange of ideas, concepts, best practices between the troops and the necessity to learn from each other’s operational experiences as well as enhance situational awareness

The exercise being held close to the international border with Pakistan aims at enhancing cooperation and interoperability between the two armies and will focus on counter-terrorism operations under the United Nations mandate. Started in 2004, Yudh Abhyas is one of the largest running military training and defence cooperation endeavours between India and the US. Both the armies will share their war-related techniques, skills and experience with each other during this exercise.

A number of aerial platforms, including the newly inducted indigenous Advance Light Helicopter WSI 'RUDRA', MI-17, Chinooks, Stryker Vehicles of the US Army and BMP-II Mechanised Infantry Combat Vehicles of the Indian Army, will be utilised in the exercise.

"The exercise will enrich both the contingents from each other's rich experience in counter-insurgency operations. Besides counter-insurgency operations, exchange of experiences in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief will also be a part of the exercise”, the official spokesperson of the Indian army said in a statement.

Significance of Yudh Abhyas 2021:

The exercise assumes immense significance in the backdrop of the recent developments in the northern border and the recent power transition of the US government. The exercise along with the telephonic conversation between US president Joe Biden and his Indian counterpart Modi which happened late last night where both the leaders mutually assured that they would work closely to advance the bilateral comprehensive global strategic partnership and to cooperate in areas ranging from post-Covid-19 recovery to the Indo-Pacific sends a strong message to international lobbying groups backed by India’s foreign adversaries and some domestic players who are hell-bent to create hurdles in the relationship by using the excuse of India’s domestic issues like Farm laws and CAA.

“The joint military exercise will enhance the level of defence cooperation between both armies which will also foster the bilateral relations between both nations and reiterate India’s key role as a key partner in the Indo-Pacific region. The exercise is being conducted despite the COVID-19 pandemic which indicates the strength of bilateral relations and conveys a geo-strategic message to the environment”, the official spokesperson of the Indian army said in a release.

Earlier in January, India and France conducted a bilateral military exercise 'Ex-Desert Knight 21' which witnessed the participation of frontline fighter jets such as Rafale, Sukhoi and Mirage 2000 besides other key assets in a five-day mega air exercise in Jodhpur.

This exercise along with the military exercise with the French sends in a strong message to China and Pakistan that India’s sovereignty and strategic interests will not be compromised upon.