Military Excercises of World’s Largest Armies
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After blocking India from achieving a membership of Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and declaration of chief Moulana Masood Azhar as terrorist by the United Nations, China will be holding joint military exercises with the Indian Army for 12 days.
The world’s largest and second-largest Armies will see participation from over 170 troops from the recently-upgraded Tibet Military Command of People’s Liberation Army and Maratha Light Infantry soldiers.
Armed with weaponry ranging from 12.7mm anti-material rifles and flame-throwers to “corner-shooting systems” and laser-blinding devices, troops will practice counter-terrorism drills. Sources told dailyexcelsor.com that both sides would use specialized weapons in the training especially those used in anti-terrorism operations.
The exercise will also focus on “trans-national terrorism”, with China grappling with the expanding influence of jihadist group Islamic State in Xinjiang as India deals with cross-border militancy actively fuelled by Pakistan.
Troops of both sides will undergo intensive joint training, which will include displays, demonstrations, and a comprehensive joint exercise. The sources added that the purpose of the exercise is to develop joint operating capability, share useful experience in counter-terrorism operations and to promote friendly exchanges between the Armies.
Last year, the 10-day joint military exercises between Indian and China were held at China’s Kunming city in which the two countries had shared experiences in counter-terrorism operations.
The first drill was held in southwest China’s Yunnan Province in 2007, followed by drills in Belgaum in Karnataka in 2008. The third round was held in southwest China’s Sichuan in 2013, followed by fourth in Pune in 2014. The two countries didn’t hold any exercises for five years between 2008 and 2013 due to strained relations.
However, according to sources, India and China now proposed to make joint military exercises an annual feature with two countries hosting them alternately. Last year, the exercises were held in China and this year, they would be hosted by India.
While the front with Pakistan remains unstable and unpredictable with almost daily exchanges of fire, the LAC with China has not seen a single shot being fired for decades. There has also been a sharp decline in troop face-offs between India and China after the two inked the border defence cooperation agreement in October 2013.
