India,US to hold mega military exercise in Uttarakhand's Auli in October

India and the US will conduct a fortnight-long mega military exercise in Uttarakhand's Auli in October this year.

The 18th edition of exercise "Yudh Abhyas" is scheduled to take place from October 14 to 31. A number of complex drills are being planned for the mega exercise.

The exercise is aimed at enhancing understanding, cooperation and interoperability between the two armies.

The last edition of the exercise took place in October last year in Alaska in the US.

The Indo-US defence ties have been on an upswing for the past few years. In June 2016, the US designated India a "Major Defence Partner". 

The two countries have also inked key defence and security pacts over the past few years, including the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA). 

The agreement that allows militaries of two countries to use each other's bases for repair and replenishment of supplies as well as provides for deeper cooperation.