Amid heightened tensions between New Delhi and Washington, and a growing synergy between the Pakistan government and US President Donald Trump, Indian and American troops will undertake a joint military exercise next month.
Termed ‘Yudh Abhyas’, the annual exercise from 1 to 16 September in US’ Alaska will see an all-arms contingent going from the Indian Army led by the Madras Regiment.
The joint exercise comes at a time when Pakistan and US have come closer than ever before under the Trump administration. The US President hosting Pakistan’s army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir at the White House to undertaking joint anti-terror talks with Islamabad.
“The upcoming edition will see participation from both sides in high-altitude conditions in Alaska, a factor that adds operational complexity to the drills. Such settings will also allow troops to train in environments that mirror potential conflict zones,” said a source.
Launched in 2004 under the framework of the Indo-US defence Cooperation Agreement, ‘Yudh Abhyas’ alternates annually between locations in India and the US, with the previous edition held in Rajasthan in 2024. In the exercise, the Indian Army and US Army typically take part in tactical field training which covers counter-insurgency, counter-terrorism and peacekeeping scenarios with command post drills that focus on mission planning, joint operations and coordination under United Nations mandates.
