US echoes India’s views in rejecting China’s opposition to ‘Yudh Abhyas’ exercise

New Delhi : The US on Friday rejected China’s opposition to an India-US joint military exercise near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Uttarakhand, asserting that it is “none of their business”.
Ambassador Elizabeth Jones, the newly-appointed US Charge d’Affaires to New Delhi, also said that Washington will support New Delhi’s efforts to become more capable in dealing with regional security challenges and that Washington sees its ties with New Delhi as one of our “most consequential relationships”.
On the meeting between US President Joe Biden and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on the margins of the G20 Summit in Bali last month, Jones said it doesn’t signal a rapprochement between the two sides and that the US is committed to the Indo-Pacific.
The American diplomat also said that the depth of the Indo-US relationship allows Washington to have a frank discussion with New Delhi on social challenges.
When asked about China’s objection to the India-US military exercise in Auli in Uttarakhand, Jones said “I think 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.” The over two-week mega military exercise “Yudh Abhyas” that took place at a military facility around 100 km from the LAC concluded on Friday.
On Wednesday, the Chinese foreign ministry opposed the “Yudh Abhyas” exercise at Auli in Uttarakhand, claiming that it violates border agreements signed by China and India in 1993 and 1996.