City
Epaper

Indian Army's combat exercise in Arunachal irks China

By IANS | Updated: October 5, 2019 14:15 IST

As the Indian Army holds its biggest ever mountain combat exercise 'Him Vijay' in Arunachal Pradesh, the first ever such drill in the northeastern state, it is reported to have irked China which considers large parts of Arunachal Pradesh as part of South Tibet.

Open in App

Three battle groups, each comprising 4,000 soldiers, are participating in the exercise at a height of 14,000 feet, 100 kms away from the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

It is being carried out in phases in the upper reaches of Arunachal Pradesh near Tawang, and will end on October 25. The exercises are being held at a time when Chinese President Xi Jinping is to visit India for the second informal meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, likely in Mahabalipuram.

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Luo Zhaohui, who is here to oversee the visit of President Xi, is reported to have raised the issue during his meeting with Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale on Thursday.

The dates for Xi's India visit have not been announced yet.

His visit comes amid strains in India-China ties over the issue of Kashmir, with Beijing choosing to side with good friend Pakistan. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi had also raised the Kashmir issue at the UNGA last week.

In this exercise, the capability of newly-conceived Integrated Battle Groups (IBGs) will be tested. The 'Him Vijay' will include troop mobilisation, mountain assault and air assault.

In February too, China had "firmly opposed" the visit of Modi to Arunachal Pradesh to inaugurate projects there.

( With inputs from IANS )

Tags: indiaNarendra ModichinakashmirArunachal Pradesh
Open in App

Related Stories

MaharashtraSanjay Raut Criticises Govt's Inaction After Phalagam Terror Attack, 'Says Why Action Has Not Taken Yet'

EntertainmentSaif Ali Khan Shares His Views About WAVES Summit and Indian Cinema Says, There Is So Much Untapped Talent

Entertainment"Meri Heartbeat Bohot Tez Chal Rahi Hai Aapke Saamne": Kartik Aaryan Wins Hearts with a Candid Confession to PM Narendra Modi at WAVES Summit

MumbaiMumbai: Shreya Ghoshal to Grace the Inaugural Stage of Waves Summit with a Soulful Bengali Tribute

MumbaiMumbai: Gold Sales Cross ₹12,000 Crores Nationwide on Akshaya Tritiya; Mumbai MMR Sees ₹800 Crores Trade

National Realted Stories

NationalBharatiya Kisan Union (Ekta-Sidhupur) protests against Punjab govt for not giving compensation for destroyed crops

NationalHaryana Minister inspects arrangements for water drainage in Gurugram

National'We must stand as one': A plea for peace after the Pahalgam attack

NationalFour of family killed as car hits bike in Madhya Pradesh

NationalBSF intensifies vigilance along India-B’desh border using latest electronic gadgets