SCHOFIELD BARRACKS (Hawaii), Sept 18: Forty Indian soldiers in jungle camouflage descend on a mock village in the central Oahu mountains, hunting for insurgents. American officers watch for lessons they can apply when leading their own soldiers through the same course on a US Army training ground.

The troops are in the island for the biggest joint drills the Indian and US armies have had to date, the latest sign of growing military relations between the two countries.

The bilateral exercise, called “Yudh Abhyas,” or “Training for War” in Hindi, started four years ago with a handful of Indian and US soldiers. It has since ballooned to involve hundreds of troops, including 140 Indians who flew to Hawaii.

Analysts say the United States is eager to deepen military ties with India to learn some of the counterinsurgency methods India’s military has cultivated during its long battle against freedom fighters in Kashmir.—AP