Xi Jinping's Mouthpiece Slams India, US Joint Drill: Effort By 'Third Party' To Meddle In Border Affairs

Xi Jinping‘s spokesperson has slammed India for holding joint drills with the U.S. in the Uttarakhand region — about 100 km from the Line of Actual Control (LAC). 

What Happened: China objected to the India-US military exercise and said it violates the spirit of bilateral agreements for border peace.

The 18th edition of the annual India-US joint military exercise is currently underway in the North Indian state, sharing a border with the neighboring country. Also known as ‘Yudh Abhyas,’ the bilateral training exercise has been held every year since 2004 and aims at improving the interoperability of the two nations’ armies.

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“The joint military exercise between India and the US close to the LAC at the China-India border violates the spirit of the agreement between China and India in 1993 and 1996,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told the media on Wednesday.

The spokesperson added that the joint exercise near the LAC was an effort by a “third party” to meddle in India-China border affairs, reported the Hindustan Times. 

Meanwhile, the Indian Ministry of Defence announced that the two-week exercise, which commenced on Nov. 19, will see troops from both nations working together to achieve common objectives.

“The joint exercise will also focus on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations. Troops from both nations will practice launching of swift & coordinated relief efforts in the wake of any natural calamity,” the Indian ministry said.

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