India-US Joint Military Exercise In Auli Irks China

The joint exercise between India and US near the LAC, according to a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, violated the spirit of relevant agreements signed by China and India in 1993 and 1996. 

According to a spokesperson for the Chinese Defense Ministry, the joint “Yudh Abhyas” exercise was an attempt by a “third party” to meddle in India-China border affairs. Since 2004, the Yudh Abhyas exercise has been an annual event.

Both statements are instructive, as the Middle Kingdom's wolf warriors are notorious for cherry-picking past statements and agreements to blame India. The agreements invoked by China in 1993-1996 were the same agreements torn to shreds by the PLA when it transgressed into Galwan (patrolling point 14) on May 5, 2020, and then in the areas of Kugrang Nala (patrolling point 15), Gogra (patrolling points 16-17) and the north banks of Pangong Tso by occupying the heights above finger four of the salt-water lake.

Even today, the PLA is in violation of both agreements because it has amassed forces near the LAC since May 2020 and shows no signs of de-escalation. Since September 2022, it has moved more forces closer to the LAC in Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. 

Furthermore, the PLA Air Force has violated air protocols since May 2020 under the 1993-1996 agreements, which prohibit aircraft from flying within 10 kilometres of the LAC. Even today, the PLA is constructing a new highway (C-695) in East Ladakh near Khurnak Fort to allow for faster inter-sector deployments on the north and south banks of the Pangong Tso.

The Chinese social media has been actively commenting on the ongoing India-US exercises by posting previously unseen photos of Indian troopers who bravely fought and died in the Galwan skirmish. Indeed, one military observer account on Chinese Weibo said that a rising India would pose a serious threat to China and thus should be dismembered as soon as possible. Another report said that China prohibited the sale of TATA-produced Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles because the same company supplied military trucks used in India-US exercises.