NEW DELHI, Sept 6: US and Indian special forces are holding joint exercises on high-altitude operations in Ladakh, a Himalayan region on the sensitive frontiers with Pakistan and China, officials said on Saturday.

The two-week-long manoeuvres are focused on training for high-altitude operations, including “mountain safety, acclimatisation and medical aspects,” a US embassy official said.

Indian defence ministry officials have given few details about the joint manoeuvres that began on Friday in Ladakh, administratively part of the Indian occupied Kashmir.

Defence Minister George Fernandes on Friday said there was “no political reason” behind the exercises.

“In the past, we have held such exercises with some Asian countries. We have also done it with the US. Such exercises are carried out so that countries get to know the areas of strength and weakening of its military,” Fernandes said.—AFP