Indian Air Force and the US Air Force began a bilateral air exercise in Indian air force bases located in West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh amid growing tension in the region.

The Indian Defense Ministry said in a statement that a bilateral air exercise between the Indian Air Force and the US Air Force codenamed ‘Exercise Cope India 23’ is being held at Air Force Stations Arjan Singh, Kalaikunda in both West Bengal and Agra in Uttar Pradesh. “The exercise aims to enhance mutual understanding between the two Air Forces and share their best practices,” the statement said. The first phase of exercise that commenced today will focus on air mobility and will involve transport aircraft and Special Forces assets from both the countries. “Both sides will field the C-130J and C-17 aircraft, with the USAF operating an MC-130J, as well,” it added. Aircrew from Japanese Air Self Defense Force are also present during the exercise as observers. The bilateral air exercise comes amid growing tension between India and China over border disputes on the one hand and between the US and China especially in the backdrop of Chinese military drills near Taiwan after its President Tsai Ing-Wen met US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in California.

Source: Kuwait News Agency