India pulls out of military exercise with Russia, China, Pakistan

After initial reports that India might be joining the multi-nation military exercise in Russia with Chinese and Pakistani troops, India has finally decided against it due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The decision not to participate in the military drill comes as India faces a war-like situation along its border with China and continuous attacks across the border by Pakistani troops and trained militants.

The multilateral strategic command post exercise in Russia, Kavkaz 2020, was to begin in September with many countries, including China and Pakistan. The drills were to be held between September 15-26 in the Astrakhan region of Russia with participation of nearly 12,500 troops.

The Indian government said: "…in view of the pandemic and consequent difficulties in the exercise, including arrangements of logistics, India has decided not to send a contingent this year to Kavkaz-2020. The same has been informed to the Russian side."

Ironically, the aim of the exercise is to improve cooperation between armies of different countries. The participating countries include China, Pakistan, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Mongolia, Syria, Iran, Egypt, Belarus, Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan.

The exercise is happening at a time when China has intruded into Indian territory at Pangong Tso with no signs of withdrawing, and had attacked Indian troops in Galwan Valley, both in Ladakh. In the assault in Galwan Valley, carried out with clubs and sticks, the PLA is reported to have lost over 40 soldiers while India lost 20 men.

A stand-off with tens of thousands of troops continues on the Indo-China border since May this year as China has not pulled back its troops despite many rounds of talks..