India is taking part in simultaneous military exercises in the US and Russia at a time when its western front is rife with tensions with Pakistan.

Yudh Abhyas 2019, a battalion level exercise between the Indian and US Armies, commenced at the Joint Base Lewis McChord, Washington, US on September 6. Conducted with brigade-level planning, the context of this bilateral exercise is jointly countering threats in a UN Peace Keeping scenario. This is the 15th edition of this exercise series, which has grown in scope and complexity since it started in 2004 as a platoon level engagement.

At Orenburg in Central Russia, Tsentr-2019 commenced on September 9 as a large scale multilateral exercise involving Russia, China and the Central Asian Republics Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, besides ironically pitching in bitter South Asian rivals India and Pakistan in the exercise scenario.

At Orenburg in Central Russia, Tsentr-2019 commenced on September 9 as a large scale multilateral exercise involving Russia, China and the Central Asian Republics Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, besides ironically pitching in bitter South Asian rivals India and Pakistan in the exercise scenario

Pakistan, which has consistently been accused of being the biggest State sponsor of terrorism, will be part of an exercise with the theme of waging war against terrorism to ensure the security of the Central Asian Region.

"The exercise aims at evolving drills of the participating armies and practicing them in the fight against the scourge of international terrorism thereby ensuring military security in the strategic central Asian region," Col Aman Anand, the Indian Army spokesperson, stated.

TSENTR-2019 has an elaborate agenda and comprises two modules. "The first module will include counter- terror operations, repelling air strikes, reconnaissance operations and defensive measures, while the second will focus on offensive operations," Colonel Anand elaborated.

On September 12 and 13, India will host the first conference of military medicine for Shanghai Co-operation Organisation (SCO) member states in New Delhi. This conference will be the first military co-operation event hosted by India under the SCO Defence Co-operation Plan 2019-2020. India became an SCO member state in 2017. Pakistan will also attend this conference as an SCO member

On September 12 and 13, India will host the first conference of military medicine for Shanghai Co-operation Organisation (SCO) member states in New Delhi. This conference will be the first military co-operation event hosted by India under the SCO Defence Co-operation Plan 2019-2020. India became an SCO member state in 2017. Pakistan will also attend this conference as an SCO member.

In the US, Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2019, which in its evolution reflects the maturing defence cooperation between the two countries, kicked off with an impressive opening ceremony at the Joint Base Lewis McChord in Washington state. National flags were unfurled to the strains of the respective National Anthems, with the Indian and US soldiers standing side-by-side giving the ceremonial salute.

Over 700 troops are taking part in the exercise. The Indian contingent is from the Assam Regument, while US troops are from the 5-20 Infantry Battalion.

Through their regular military exercises, India and the US are training for increasing jointmanship and interoperability to meet unforeseen contingencies across the globe in which the two sides may have common objectives

Major General Xavier Brunsen, the commander of the US Army 7th Infantry Division, welcomed the Indian soldiers, while highlighting the shared values of democracy, freedom, equality and justice.

"Both sides will jointly train, plan and execute a series of well-developed tactical drills for neutralisation of likely threats that may be encountered in UN Peace Keeping Operations," Colonel Anand stated. The exercise will conclude on September 18.

Yudh Abhyas is staged in the US and India in alternate years. The last edition of this annual exercise was held at Chaubattia in Uttarakhand, not far from India's disputed boundary with China.

Through their regular military exercises, India and the US are training for increasing jointmanship and interoperability to meet unforeseen contingencies across the globe in which the two sides may have common objectives.

Yudh Abhyas takes place annually and rotates between India and the United States. Last year, the Indian Army hosted U.S. troops at Chaubattia Military Station, in the foothills of the Himalayas.

India-US military ties have been steadily growing over the last two decades. The two sides last year operationalised foundational defence agreements which enable scaling up ties. These include the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) and the Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA).

Other major India-US exercises are the Malabar series between their navies and Cope India between their air forces. Malabar has been trilateralised to include Japan. Cope India is also likely to see a regular Japanese participation.