New Dehi - Maintaining a delicate equilibrium in its extensive defense partnerships with both the United States and Russia, India is preparing to deploy military units to these two nations for joint military exercises. This decision comes at a time when the United States has announced a new arms package to support Ukraine in its ongoing conflict with Russia.

One of these exercises, known as 'Yudh Abhyas,' will take place in Alaska and represents a significant bilateral endeavor between India and the US. Simultaneously, another exercise will occur in Vladivostok, Russia, focusing on counter-terrorism and featuring multiple participating nations, including China.

India remains apprehensive about the strategic alliance between Russia and China, particularly in the context of the ongoing military standoff in eastern Ladakh, which has persisted for four years. Additionally, India is concerned about the consequences of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine that began in February of the previous year.

A contingent of 350 soldiers from the Indian Army's Maratha Light Infantry Regiment will participate in the 'Yudh Abhyas' exercise in Alaska, scheduled from September 25 to October 8. This brigade-level exercise will emphasize combat operations in challenging high-altitude and extreme climatic conditions.

Notably, the previous edition of the 'Yudh Abhyas' exercise took place in the high-altitude region of Auli in Uttarakhand, which is situated merely 100 kilometers from the Line of Actual Control with China. China had expressed displeasure over this exercise, cautioning the US not to interfere in its relationship with India and accusing New Delhi of violating border agreements.

In a separate engagement, a smaller contingent from the Rajputana Rifles will participate in a counter-terrorism field training exercise during the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting (ADMM)-plus-Expert Working Group (EWG) event in Russia from September 25 to 30. This exercise involves the ten ASEAN member countries as well as India, Russia, and China. Its primary objective is to enhance regional cooperation in the realm of counter-terrorism, while also affording the Indian Army the opportunity to share its extensive expertise in this field.

It's worth noting that in 2020, India withdrew from the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) counter-terrorism exercise known as 'Kavkaz' in Russia due to the participation of Chinese and Pakistani troops. This decision came in the wake of escalating tensions with China following violent clashes in the Galwan Valley of eastern Ladakh on June 15 of that year.

India and the United States frequently conduct various joint exercises, ranging from the bilateral 'Yudh Abhyas' to the Malabar naval war games involving other Quad countries such as Australia and Japan.

During his visit to India for the SCO defense ministers' meeting in April, Russian Defense Minister Sergei K Shoigu strongly criticized the United States and groupings like the Quad and AUKUS, characterizing them as efforts to contain China.