The US echoed India’s reaction on Friday with the denial China’s opposition to a joint India-US military exercise near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Uttarakhand and claimed that it “is none of their business”.

Ambassador Elizabeth Jones, the newly appointed US Secretary of State in New Delhi, also said that Washington’s interest is to support New Delhi’s efforts to become more operational and that its capacity is being channeled in directions it believes are important.

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Speaking to a group of journalists, she said the US relationship with India is one of its “most consequential” relationships and that Washington sees a natural partnership between the two sides in a number of critical areas, including defense technology and climate change.

Asked about China’s objections to the Indo-US military exercise in Uttarakhand, Jones said, “I think I would point it to the kind of statement we’ve heard from our Indian counterparts that it’s none of their business. “

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On Wednesday, China’s Foreign Ministry rejected the “Yudh Abhyas” exercise in Auli in Uttarakhand, claiming it violated border agreements signed by China and India in 1993 and 1996.

Asked about China’s response to the exercise, Foreign Ministry spokesman Arindam Bagchi said at a weekly media briefing on Thursday, “The military exercise in Auli has nothing to do with the 1993 and 1996 agreements.”

He also said that “India will deal with whoever it wants and will not veto third countries on this issue.”

The 1993 agreement concerns the maintenance of peace and tranquility along the LAC with China in the Indo-China border areas, while the 1996 compact concerns military confidence-building measures along the LAC with China in the Indo-China border areas.

On Wednesday, China said it opposed the joint India-US military exercises and claimed it violated the spirit of the two border agreements signed between New Delhi and Beijing.

The 18th edition of the joint India-US military exercise “Yudh Abhyas” is currently taking place in Auli, some 100 km from the LAC.