India, US complete 21st bilateral exercise amid thaw in relations

The 21st edition of Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2025, the annual bilateral military exercise between India and the United States, concluded after two weeks of intensive training.

Held on September 1-14 at Fort Wainwright and the Yukon Training Area in Alaska, the exercise involved approximately 450 personnel from the Indian Army, led by a battalion of the Madras Regiment, alongside soldiers from the US Army’s 11th Airborne Division, Indian media writes.

The exercise coincided with early signs of a thaw in India-US relations, after US President Donald Trump described the two countries as having a “special relationship” and reassured that “there is nothing to worry about.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi responded by expressing that he “deeply appreciated” and “fully” reciprocated Trump’s sentiments and positive assessment of bilateral ties.

According to a statement from the Indian Embassy in the US, the exercise included command post activities, where Indian and US officers collaborated on operational planning, command and control, and coordination at brigade and battalion levels.

“This was followed by field training in challenging sub-Arctic conditions, encompassing drills and manoeuvres, specialist exercises such as sniper and reconnaissance training, counter-IED operations, and obstacle and demolition laying,” the statement said.

The final phase featured combined tactical operations and validation drills conducted in adverse weather, employing infantry units, artillery, aviation, electronic warfare, and counter-drone systems under joint command and control. The phase also included a Distinguished Visitor Day on September 11, allowing observers to witness live-fire exercises and joint operations.

“Senior officers from both sides expressed satisfaction at the teams operating together, and on each other’s equipment, towards fulfilment of assigned real-world tasks,” the embassy added, highlighting the effective integration and cooperation between Indian and US forces.

By Tamilla Hasanova