In abrupt move, India pulls out from 'Kavkaz 20' where China, Pak will also take part

India's decision will hinder obvious Russian efforts to mediate between the two Asian giants as Indian and Chinese participation would have underlined the capability of Russia's geopolitical strategy and greatly enhanced its stature, writes senior journalist Sanjib Kr Baruah.

New Delhi: In a further setback to hopes of a resolution of the India-China military faceoff due to the escalation of a border row in eastern Ladakh and north Sikkim from May onwards, India has decided not to take part in 'Kavkaz 20' (Caucasus-20), a multilateral tri-services exercise hosted by the Russian military where China and the Pakistan will also take part.

The 'Kavkaz 20' military exercise from September 15-27 in Russia's Astrakhan region would have seen Indian soldiers joining hands with Chinese and Pakistani soldiers together fighting off a mock terrorist attack among other war games.

Confirming the development, a senior military source told ETV Bharat on condition of anonymity: "India will not send its contingent to Russia for 'Kavkaz 20'. It is due to both the China factor and the COVID 19 pandemic."

India's decision will hinder obvious Russian efforts to mediate between the two Asian giants as their joint participation would have underlined the capability of Russia's geopolitical strategy and greatly enhanced its stature particularly in the backdrop of the US failure to broker deals.

In the recent past, India and China had already turned down US President Donald Trump's mediation offer.

India joining the 'Kavkaz 20' would have been a dampener for the shaping up of the fledging 'Quad' or the anti-China grouping between India, US, Japan and Australia.

On the other hand, India's Saturday decision is a big thumbs-up to 'Quad' which will be exemplified by Indian Navy-hosted 'Malabar Exercise' which is expected to be in the next few months. While India, the US, and Japan already take part in 'Malabar', the invite to Australia is being deliberated in New Delhi.

India and China are engaged in a huge military mobilization effort with about 100,000 troops deployed besides military equipment and air force assets and are currently facing off each other along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and in depth areas.

All existing mechanisms of deliberation between the two countries have failed to yield a breakthrough in the strained relations till now with a corps commander level talks expected to be held in a few days.

From India, about 180 soldiers from the Dogra Regiment besides observers including from the Army, IAF and Navy were readying to leave for 'Kavkaz 20'.

However, 'Kavkaz 20' is expected to be a tame affair with only about 13,000 troops participating. Last year, about 128,000 troops, 20,000 pieces of military equipment, 600 aircraft and 15 ships had participated in 'Tsentr-2019'.

Russia holds four major exercises every four years, one exercise a year corresponding to its military districts on a rotation basis—Vostok (East), Zapad (West), Tsentr (Centre), and Kavkaz (South). So Ex Kavkaz was last held in 2012 and 2016.