India, US Begin Major Yudh Abhyas Military Drill in Alaska Amid Tariff Tensions
Anchorage, September 2. Even as trade tensions flare between New Delhi and Washington over steep tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump, the Indian and American armies have launched one of their biggest joint military exercises in Alaska.
The 21st edition of Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2025 began on September 1 and will run till September 14. Over 14 days, contingents from both nations will train together on a wide spectrum of tactical operations, including heliborne manoeuvres, mountain warfare, surveillance using unmanned aerial systems (UAS), casualty evacuation, combat medical aid, and the integrated use of artillery, aviation and electronic warfare systems.
The Indian Army is partnering with soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment ‘Bobcats’ of the Arctic Wolves Brigade Combat Team, 11th Airborne Division of the US Army. Subject matter experts will also lead workshops on UAS and counter-UAS operations, logistics, communications, and information warfare. The exercise will culminate in live-fire drills and high-altitude combat scenarios designed to enhance interoperability for United Nations peacekeeping missions and multi-domain challenges.
Defence officials stressed that despite frictions over trade, military cooperation remains robust, building on more than two decades of deepening strategic partnership.
However, President Trump again sharpened his rhetoric against India, claiming New Delhi had belatedly offered to cut tariffs on American goods to zero. In a post on Truth Social, he alleged that India had long maintained the world’s highest tariffs, preventing US companies from accessing its markets.
“What few people understand is that we do very little business with India, but they do a tremendous amount of business with us… Until now it has been a totally one-sided disaster,” Trump wrote, linking his decision to impose 50% tariffs to India’s continued energy and defence trade with Russia.
New Delhi has not responded to his latest claims.
