NEW DELHI, Nov 26: The Indian Air Force will for the first time take part in multinational aerial wargames in the United States, billed as the world’s toughest, the defence minister said on Monday.

The approval came despite stiff opposition from Communist parties to India’s participation in the annual event, codenamed “Red Flag.” Minister A.K. Antony said it was a rare chance for the Indian Air Force to team up with western counterparts.

“This exercise will give an opportunity to our air force to gain knowledge of the state-of-the-art technology,” Antony said in a statement in parliament.

It will “also give exposure to the Indian air force to witness some of the best practices followed by other air forces in the world.” The event will be staged next January with participants drawn from North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato) members and other US military allies.

The approval came a month after the military sought a cabinet clearance to participate in the six-week event, scheduled to be held near Las Vegas.

Although the air force has participated in numerous US-led war games, it would be the first time it took part in the Red Flag fixture.

India’s participation is a sensitive topic as Communist allies of the ruling Congress coalition complain that traditionally non-aligned India is drawing too close to the United States.

The communists had been also pushing New Delhi to opt out of a landmark civilian nuclear deal with Washington, but this month withdrew a threat to bring down the government over the affair.

India has participated in multinational exercises in the past and will be holding its first ever joint military manoeuvres with China in the third week of December in Yunnan province.

In September, New Delhi upset Beijing by hosting naval exercises involving 29 warships and 160 fighter aircraft from the United States, Australia, Japan and Singapore in the Indian Ocean.

The six-day naval drill was also marked by angry protests by the communist parties, which labelled the exercise a symbol of “American hegemony.”—AFP