The United States and South Korea have scaled down an annual joint military exercise scheduled for the spring of 2019 to facilitate nuclear talks with North Korea, US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Wednesday.&nbsp;

"Foal Eagle is being reorganized a bit to keep it at a level that will not be harmful to diplomacy," Mattis said, adding that it would be "reduced in scope."

Foal Eagle is the biggest of the regular joint exercises held by the allies, and has always infuriated Pyongyang, which condemned it as preparations for invasion.

But the drill -- one of the world's largest field exercises involving 200,000 South Korean and some 30,000 US soldiers -- was delayed and scaled down last year as diplomatic detente took hold on the peninsula.

And following a historic summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Singapore in June, US President Donald Trump announced that the US would stop holding joint exercises with the South, calling them expensive and "very provocative".

Since then the two allies have suspended most of their major joint exercises including the Ulchi Freedom Guardian in August and Vigilant Ace, slated for next month.

But more recently progress in talks with the North has stalled, with the US pushing to maintain sanctions against it until its "final, fully verified denuclearization" and Pyongyang condemning US demands as "gangster-like."

Washington stations 28,500 troops in the South to defend it from its nuclear-armed neighbour, which invaded in 1950.

'Fait accompli'

But differences are beginning to emerge between Seoul and Washington.

The South's dovish president Moon Jae-in has long favoured engagement with the North, which is subject to multiple UN Security Council sanctions over its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes.

He has dangled large investment and joint cross-border projects as incentives for steps towards denuclearization, while the US has been adamant pressure should be maintained on Pyongyang until it fully dismantles its weapons programs.

Seoul's defence ministry said Mattis' comments were in line with their shared view on the need to back diplomacy -- but a spokeswoman added that the question of whether the exercises will take place at all was "still under discussion."

Kim Hyun-wook, a professor at the South's state-run Korea National Diplomatic Academy, said reducing the exercise was largely expected.

"The Trump administration claims Pyongyang's suspension of nuclear and missile tests as the key achievement of its North Korea policy and the joint drills have been postponed as a kind of corresponding measure," Kim told AFP.

"As long as talks continue, postponing or reducing major US-South Korea joint exercises has become a fait accompli," he said.

'No rush'

Earlier this month Pyongyang threatened to "seriously" consider returning to its weapons drive if Washington did not end its tough economic sanctions.

And last month, the North's state media carried a near 1,700-word commentary accusing the US of playing a "double game", implicitly criticizing Trump for comments aimed at barring Seoul from lifting sanctions against Pyongyang.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday defended Washington's strategy on the peninsula, noting that North Korea had halted missile launches and had not conducted a nuclear test in over a year.

"And I do hope there'll be a summit between the two leaders early in 2019," he said in an interview with KCMO radio.

Pyongyang has declared its nuclear and missile development complete, saying it has no further need for testing.

Trump has also said he hopes to have a second meeting with Kim early next year, but talks between Pompeo and a top North Korean official, partly to prepare for the meeting, were cancelled.

The US said the North axed the talks because they weren't ready, and Trump insisted he was in "no rush."

The United States and South Korea have scaled down an annual joint military exercise scheduled for the spring of 2019 to facilitate nuclear talks with North Korea, US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Wednesday.

The United States and South Korea have scaled down an annual joint military exercise scheduled for the spring of 2019 to facilitate nuclear talks with North Korea, US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Wednesday. "Foal Eagle is being reorganized a bit to keep it at a level that will not be harmful to diplomacy," Mattis said, adding that it would be "reduced in scope." Foal Eagle is the biggest of the regular joint exercises held by the allies, and has always infuriated Pyongyang, which condemned it as preparations for invasion. But the drill -- one of the world's largest field exercises involving 200,000 South Korean and some 30,000 US soldiers -- was delayed and scaled down last year as diplomatic detente took hold on the peninsula. And following a historic summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Singapore in June, US President Donald Trump announced that the US would stop holding joint exercises with the South, calling them expensive and "very provocative". Since then the two allies have suspended most of their major joint exercises including the Ulchi Freedom Guardian in August and Vigilant Ace, slated for next month. But more recently progress in talks with the North has stalled, with the US pushing to maintain sanctions against it until its "final, fully verified denuclearization" and Pyongyang condemning US demands as "gangster-like." Washington stations 28,500 troops in the South to defend it from its nuclear-armed neighbour, which invaded in 1950. 'Fait accompli' But differences are beginning to emerge between Seoul and Washington. The South's dovish president Moon Jae-in has long favoured engagement with the North, which is subject to multiple UN Security Council sanctions over its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes. He has dangled large investment and joint cross-border projects as incentives for steps towards denuclearization, while the US has been adamant pressure should be maintained on Pyongyang until it fully dismantles its weapons programs. Seoul's defence ministry said Mattis' comments were in line with their shared view on the need to back diplomacy -- but a spokeswoman added that the question of whether the exercises will take place at all was "still under discussion." Kim Hyun-wook, a professor at the South's state-run Korea National Diplomatic Academy, said reducing the exercise was largely expected. "The Trump administration claims Pyongyang's suspension of nuclear and missile tests as the key achievement of its North Korea policy and the joint drills have been postponed as a kind of corresponding measure," Kim told AFP. "As long as talks continue, postponing or reducing major US-South Korea joint exercises has become a fait accompli," he said. 'No rush' Earlier this month Pyongyang threatened to "seriously" consider returning to its weapons drive if Washington did not end its tough economic sanctions. And last month, the North's state media carried a near 1,700-word commentary accusing the US of playing a "double game", implicitly criticizing Trump for comments aimed at barring Seoul from lifting sanctions against Pyongyang. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday defended Washington's strategy on the peninsula, noting that North Korea had halted missile launches and had not conducted a nuclear test in over a year. "And I do hope there'll be a summit between the two leaders early in 2019," he said in an interview with KCMO radio. Pyongyang has declared its nuclear and missile development complete, saying it has no further need for testing. Trump has also said he hopes to have a second meeting with Kim early next year, but talks between Pompeo and a top North Korean official, partly to prepare for the meeting, were cancelled. The US said the North axed the talks because they weren't ready, and Trump insisted he was in "no rush."

US, South Korea scale back military exercise: Jim Mattis

U.S troops perform military drill near Mexico Border

By KM Mishra

The Indian army will be in the busiest period of its military diplomacy in the coming two months as it is set to undertake joint military exercise with the forces of America, Russia, China and Japan.

The joint military exercise will be conducted between the countries that lead the opposite poles of each other in the months of November and December.

The first ever military exercise with the Japanese Army will be held from November 1-14, where the Indian Army will take part in EX. DHARMA GAURDIAN in Mizoram's Warangate.

From November 14 onwards the joint military exercise with the American Special Forces will be conducted in the Mahajan Field Firing Range of Rajasthan. The military exercises called the VAJRA PRAHAR of the Para Special Forces of the Indian Army will run till December 2.&nbsp;

At the same time, Indian Armored soldiers in Babina will be participating in INDRA 2018 with the armoured soldiers of Russia. From November 16 to 29, joint exercise Indra-2018 will be held between India and Russia's Mechanized Afantry.&nbsp;

From November 16, the joint military exercise AGNI WARRIOR of the artillery will start with Singapore, which will run till November 30.&nbsp;

Annual exercise HAND IN HAND, which was cancelled last year due to the Doklam controversy with China will also be conducted this year. This military exercise, being held in mid-December, is being organised in Chengdu, China.

Indian military diplomacy is currently going through its most challenging time. The military relationship with the United States is continuously strengthening. In a meeting between the Defense and the Foreign Ministers held last month, the two countries had further decided to&nbsp;strengthen this relationship. Now both countries will conduct military exercises at much larger levels between their three armies. Naval exercises with the US Malabar and military exercise YUDHABHYAS have been going on for many years.&nbsp;

Indian military relations with Russia are historic. Russia had supported the Indian Army at the time of crisis. Arsenal of Indian armies is full of Russian arms. But Russia is unhappy with the growing military ties with the US over the past few years. In an attempt to take advantage of this, Pakistan has extended the hand of friendship towards Russia. For two years, the soldiers of both countries are practising on a small scale and points on various arms deals are also being discussed. Although recently, India&nbsp;tried to bridge the gap by going for Russian missile defence system S-400, despite the US pressure.

Japan is a fierce enemy of China and can become India's main ally in the plan to surround China in its backyard. Japan has been a permanent member of the maritime exercise in Malabar since 2016, which was earlier only between India and the US. For the first time this year, the Indian and Japanese military forces will practice jointly.

The biggest challenge of diplomacy is to handle India's strongest neighbour China. In the last few years, many mechanisms have been made at the level of the military commanders to maintain peace and tranquillity between the two. HAND IN HAND is the most important milestone in the military diplomacy in relations with China. In the trijunction border between Bhutan and the two countries last year, tension has increased in Doklam and armies have come face-to-face. This tension remained for more than two months.

By KM Mishra The Indian army will be in the busiest period of its military diplomacy in the coming two months as it is set to undertake joint military exercise with the forces of America, Russia, China and Japan.

By KM Mishra The Indian army will be in the busiest period of its military diplomacy in the coming two months as it is set to undertake joint military exercise with the forces of America, Russia, China and Japan. The joint military exercise will be conducted between the countries that lead the opposite poles of each other in the months of November and December. The first ever military exercise with the Japanese Army will be held from November 1-14, where the Indian Army will take part in EX. DHARMA GAURDIAN in Mizoram's Warangate. From November 14 onwards the joint military exercise with the American Special Forces will be conducted in the Mahajan Field Firing Range of Rajasthan. The military exercises called the VAJRA PRAHAR of the Para Special Forces of the Indian Army will run till December 2. At the same time, Indian Armored soldiers in Babina will be participating in INDRA 2018 with the armoured soldiers of Russia. From November 16 to 29, joint exercise Indra-2018 will be held between India and Russia's Mechanized Afantry. From November 16, the joint military exercise AGNI WARRIOR of the artillery will start with Singapore, which will run till November 30. Annual exercise HAND IN HAND, which was cancelled last year due to the Doklam controversy with China will also be conducted this year. This military exercise, being held in mid-December, is being organised in Chengdu, China. Indian military diplomacy is currently going through its most challenging time. The military relationship with the United States is continuously strengthening. In a meeting between the Defense and the Foreign Ministers held last month, the two countries had further decided to strengthen this relationship. Now both countries will conduct military exercises at much larger levels between their three armies. Naval exercises with the US Malabar and military exercise YUDHABHYAS have been going on for many years. Indian military relations with Russia are historic. Russia had supported the Indian Army at the time of crisis. Arsenal of Indian armies is full of Russian arms. But Russia is unhappy with the growing military ties with the US over the past few years. In an attempt to take advantage of this, Pakistan has extended the hand of friendship towards Russia. For two years, the soldiers of both countries are practising on a small scale and points on various arms deals are also being discussed. Although recently, India tried to bridge the gap by going for Russian missile defence system S-400, despite the US pressure. Japan is a fierce enemy of China and can become India's main ally in the plan to surround China in its backyard. Japan has been a permanent member of the maritime exercise in Malabar since 2016, which was earlier only between India and the US. For the first time this year, the Indian and Japanese military forces will practice jointly. The biggest challenge of diplomacy is to handle India's strongest neighbour China. In the last few years, many mechanisms have been made at the level of the military commanders to maintain peace and tranquillity between the two. HAND IN HAND is the most important milestone in the military diplomacy in relations with China. In the trijunction border between Bhutan and the two countries last year, tension has increased in Doklam and armies have come face-to-face. This tension remained for more than two months.

India to hold joint military exercise with US, Russia, China and Japan

China is holding military drills in the sea bordering North Korea in what is being seen as a reaction to the military exercises carried out by the United States and South Korea.

&quot;Analysts suggest&nbsp;Chinese military drills as a warning to the United States and South Korea against attacking North Korea, an ally of China. Through these drills China wants to uphold the balance of power in the region, say, strategic experts,&quot; <a href="http://www.wionews.com/videos/china-holds-military-drills-warns-us-7179" target="_blank">a WION TV report</a>&nbsp;says.&nbsp;

North Korea recently test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile which it said placed &quot;all of the mainland&nbsp;US&quot;&nbsp;within range.

The Unites States has been pressing for more sanctions against the Kim Jong-un regime, and urging nations to sever tied with North Korea.&nbsp;

South Korea and the United States kicked-off the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/week-after-north-korea-missile-test-us-south-korea-kick-off-largest-air-exercise-25783" target="_blank">largest-ever air exercise</a> Monday.

The five-day exercise is called &#39;Vigilant Ace&#39; and involves over 230 aircraft including the F22 Raptor and F35 stealth jet fighters.

&quot;The exercise is to improve and airforce capabilities of both the nations noted the South Korean defence ministry,&quot; the WION TV report said.&nbsp;

'Analysts suggest Chinese military drills as a warning to the United States and South Korea against attacking North Korea,' a WION TV report said

China is holding military drills in the sea bordering North Korea in what is being seen as a reaction to the military exercises carried out by the United States and South Korea. "Analysts suggest Chinese military drills as a warning to the United States and South Korea against attacking North Korea, an ally of China. Through these drills China wants to uphold the balance of power in the region, say, strategic experts," a WION TV report says. North Korea recently test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile which it said placed "all of the mainland US" within range. The Unites States has been pressing for more sanctions against the Kim Jong-un regime, and urging nations to sever tied with North Korea. South Korea and the United States kicked-off the largest-ever air exercise Monday. The five-day exercise is called 'Vigilant Ace' and involves over 230 aircraft including the F22 Raptor and F35 stealth jet fighters. "The exercise is to improve and airforce capabilities of both the nations noted the South Korean defence ministry," the WION TV report said.

China holds military drills near North Korea border, 'warns' US

Over 400 personnel of the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-and-japans-mutually-beneficial-alliance-a-barter-between-military-and-infrastructure-20214">Indian Army, Indian Air Force and Indian Navy in addition to two IL 76 aircraft</a>, one frigate and corvette each from the Navy today left the country to take part in INDRA 2017--the first ever Tri-Services Joint Exercise between Indian and Russian Armed Forces which will be conducted in the Eastern Military District of Russia from October 19 to 29.&nbsp;

Exercise INDRA in its previous nine avatars has been conducted as a single service exercise alternately between the two countries.

The year 2017 marks a major milestone as this Exercise has been upgraded to involve all the three Services of the Armed Forces (Army, Navy &amp; Air Force), which further accentuates the importance of Joint Services in the present world environment.

Exercise INDRA-2017 will be conducted at the 249th Combined Army Range Sergeevisky and in the Sea of Japan near Vladivostok.

The Indian contingent will comprise of 350 personnel from Army, 80 from Air Force, two IL 76 aircraft and one Frigate and Corvette each from the Navy.

The Russian Federation Armed Forces will be represented by approximately 1000 troops of the 5th Army, Marines and Ships of Pacific Fleet and aircraft from Eastern Military District.

Addressing the Indian Contingent today, Lt Gen Satish Dua reminded them of the importance of the upcoming Exercise which will provide an opportunity to the armed forces of both countries to train in counter-terrorism operations in a multinational scenario in a joint tri-service environment.

The scope of the Exercise includes professional interactions, the establishment of joint command and control structures between the Indian &amp; Russian forces and elimination of terrorist threat in a multinational environment under the UN mandate.

Exercise INDRA-2017 is aimed at strengthening mutual confidence, inter-operability and enable sharing of best practices between both the armed forces.

It will be a landmark event in the history of Indo-Russian defence cooperation and is expected to give the Indo-Russian defence cooperation a major boost.

Exercise INDRA-2017 will be conducted at the 249th Combined Army Range Sergeevisky and in the Sea of Japan near Vladivostok.

Over 400 personnel of the Indian Army, Indian Air Force and Indian Navy in addition to two IL 76 aircraft, one frigate and corvette each from the Navy today left the country to take part in INDRA 2017--the first ever Tri-Services Joint Exercise between Indian and Russian Armed Forces which will be conducted in the Eastern Military District of Russia from October 19 to 29. Exercise INDRA in its previous nine avatars has been conducted as a single service exercise alternately between the two countries. The year 2017 marks a major milestone as this Exercise has been upgraded to involve all the three Services of the Armed Forces (Army, Navy & Air Force), which further accentuates the importance of Joint Services in the present world environment. Exercise INDRA-2017 will be conducted at the 249th Combined Army Range Sergeevisky and in the Sea of Japan near Vladivostok. The Indian contingent will comprise of 350 personnel from Army, 80 from Air Force, two IL 76 aircraft and one Frigate and Corvette each from the Navy. The Russian Federation Armed Forces will be represented by approximately 1000 troops of the 5th Army, Marines and Ships of Pacific Fleet and aircraft from Eastern Military District. Addressing the Indian Contingent today, Lt Gen Satish Dua reminded them of the importance of the upcoming Exercise which will provide an opportunity to the armed forces of both countries to train in counter-terrorism operations in a multinational scenario in a joint tri-service environment. The scope of the Exercise includes professional interactions, the establishment of joint command and control structures between the Indian & Russian forces and elimination of terrorist threat in a multinational environment under the UN mandate. Exercise INDRA-2017 is aimed at strengthening mutual confidence, inter-operability and enable sharing of best practices between both the armed forces. It will be a landmark event in the history of Indo-Russian defence cooperation and is expected to give the Indo-Russian defence cooperation a major boost.

Over 400 Indian troops leave for first ever tri-services joint military excercise with Russia

The chief minister of India&#39;s eastern state of West Bengal has announced that she will stay at the Nabanna building which houses the state secretariat until the army withdraws from the two toll plazas in the state.

On Thursday, Mamata Banerjee said that in an &quot;unprecedented and a serious matter&quot; the army had been deployed at two toll plazas on the national highway at Palsit and Dankuni towns without informing the state government.

&quot;This is a very serious situation worse than Emergency,&quot; she told reporters at the state secretariat.

&quot;Very unfortunate. Army stationed in front of Nabanna, the Bengal State Secretariat in a high security zone, inspite of police objection. I am waiting here at the Secretariat and watching, to guard our democracy,&quot; she further announced at a media briefing held at 10 pm local time on Thursday.

&quot;Is this a military coup? I gathered information whether such exercises were held in Maharashtra, Odisha and Kerala. I was told that no such exercises have taken place in their states,&quot; added Banerjee.

The Army Eastern Command Headquarters have, however, issued a statement saying that it a routine process aimed at getting statistical data about load carriers.

&ldquo;The army conducts annual exercise throughout the county with the aim of getting statistical data about the load carriers that could be made available to the Army in case of a contingency. For this purpose vehicles are spotted to get basic parameters like make load capacity. The vehicle is then marked so that the next checkpoint knows that the vehicle had already been checked for the parameters. There is nothing alarming about this and it is carried out as per government orders,&rdquo; read the statement, adding, &ldquo;This gives an estimate about the number of vehicles that are passing a certain area that could be tapped during operations.&rdquo; &nbsp; &nbsp;

Sources in the Army informed that today was the second day of the three-day long annual exercise. Some more figures of the load carriers will be noted across different toll plazas tomorrow.&nbsp;

Army officials are now stationed at the Vidyasagar Setu Toll Plaza, which is adjacent to the state secretariat, gathering data on load carriers.

&ldquo;This is not a deployment. This exercise is taking place under the laid down rules of the Central Government. The police and the administration are kept in the loop. There is nothing to get alarmed about,&rdquo; said wing commander SS Birdi.

Banerjee claimed that the people were panicking due to military presence at toll plazas.

&quot;It is an attack on the federal structure. We want to know the details. The Chief Secretary is writing to the Centre. Given an opportunity I will talk to the President on the issue. Has Emergency been imposed in the country without declaration?&quot; she said.

(With inputs from PTI)

The Army has issued a statement that the process is part of a routine exercise aimed at getting data about load carriers

The chief minister of India's eastern state of West Bengal has announced that she will stay at the Nabanna building which houses the state secretariat until the army withdraws from the two toll plazas in the state. On Thursday, Mamata Banerjee said that in an "unprecedented and a serious matter" the army had been deployed at two toll plazas on the national highway at Palsit and Dankuni towns without informing the state government. "This is a very serious situation worse than Emergency," she told reporters at the state secretariat. "Very unfortunate. Army stationed in front of Nabanna, the Bengal State Secretariat in a high security zone, inspite of police objection. I am waiting here at the Secretariat and watching, to guard our democracy," she further announced at a media briefing held at 10 pm local time on Thursday. "Is this a military coup? I gathered information whether such exercises were held in Maharashtra, Odisha and Kerala. I was told that no such exercises have taken place in their states," added Banerjee. The Army Eastern Command Headquarters have, however, issued a statement saying that it a routine process aimed at getting statistical data about load carriers. “The army conducts annual exercise throughout the county with the aim of getting statistical data about the load carriers that could be made available to the Army in case of a contingency. For this purpose vehicles are spotted to get basic parameters like make load capacity. The vehicle is then marked so that the next checkpoint knows that the vehicle had already been checked for the parameters. There is nothing alarming about this and it is carried out as per government orders,” read the statement, adding, “This gives an estimate about the number of vehicles that are passing a certain area that could be tapped during operations.” Sources in the Army informed that today was the second day of the three-day long annual exercise. Some more figures of the load carriers will be noted across different toll plazas tomorrow. Army officials are now stationed at the Vidyasagar Setu Toll Plaza, which is adjacent to the state secretariat, gathering data on load carriers. “This is not a deployment. This exercise is taking place under the laid down rules of the Central Government. The police and the administration are kept in the loop. There is nothing to get alarmed about,” said wing commander SS Birdi. Banerjee claimed that the people were panicking due to military presence at toll plazas. "It is an attack on the federal structure. We want to know the details. The Chief Secretary is writing to the Centre. Given an opportunity I will talk to the President on the issue. Has Emergency been imposed in the country without declaration?" she said. (With inputs from PTI)

India: Mamata Banerjee refuses to leave office until army clears off toll booths

Pakistan is conducting a military exercise in a strategically located area bordering India, with Prime Minster Nawaz Sharif and the country&#39;s army chief reviewing the readiness of Pakistan&#39;s army and air force to deal with any situation amid growing tension with India, news agency PTI reported.

The exercise is taking place near the border close to Bahawalpur town in Punjab province.

Helicopter gunships and ground troops will take part in the exercise, coming days after seven Pakistani soldiers were killed along the LoC.

The exercise shows the state of readiness of Pakistani military to deal with any situation arising out of recent tension with India, according to security officials.

Pakistan cannot be bullied by Indian &quot;tactics&quot; and its restraint should not be &quot;misunderstood&quot; as weakness, said Pakistan Prime Minister Sharif warning that his country was fully capable of defending against &quot;any belligerence&quot;.

Deliberate escalation of tension along LoC by Indian forces is a threat to regional peace and security, he added.

&quot;It is also a futile attempt of the Indian authorities to divert the world&#39;s attention from the worst kind of atrocities they are committing&quot; in Kashmir, he had said.

(WION with inputs from PTI)

The exercise comes days after seven Pakistani soldiers were killed along the line of control

Pakistan is conducting a military exercise in a strategically located area bordering India, with Prime Minster Nawaz Sharif and the country's army chief reviewing the readiness of Pakistan's army and air force to deal with any situation amid growing tension with India, news agency PTI reported. The exercise is taking place near the border close to Bahawalpur town in Punjab province. Helicopter gunships and ground troops will take part in the exercise, coming days after seven Pakistani soldiers were killed along the LoC. The exercise shows the state of readiness of Pakistani military to deal with any situation arising out of recent tension with India, according to security officials. Pakistan cannot be bullied by Indian "tactics" and its restraint should not be "misunderstood" as weakness, said Pakistan Prime Minister Sharif warning that his country was fully capable of defending against "any belligerence". Deliberate escalation of tension along LoC by Indian forces is a threat to regional peace and security, he added. "It is also a futile attempt of the Indian authorities to divert the world's attention from the worst kind of atrocities they are committing" in Kashmir, he had said. (WION with inputs from PTI)

Pakistan holds military exercise close to Indian border

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