BY : TIME.TV





After Exercise Malabar, which saw ships of the Indian Navy exercise with US battleships, the Indian Air force wants to go to ‘Red Flag’ - a tough air exercise in the US. However the Left in India swears by the Red Flag and they aren't too happy with anything American.

Reacting to the news the Left as has taken serious exception to the Indo-US Red Flag Exercise. CPI leader D Raja said that its a matter of concern and Left parties will definitely oppose it. He added that large number of military exercises between US and India should be seen in the context of Nuke Deal between the two countries

Responding to Left statements, Defence Minister AK Anthony played down concerns by saying such joint exercises with various countries are not new, and if they benefit the forces, the Governmentt would go ahead with them.

Staged out of the Nellis Air Force base in Nevada, United States, ‘Red Flag’ is supposed to be the most realistic air combat exercise and it’s held over an area about half the size of Switzerland. The fighters simulate the best tactics used by air forces the world over. Entry to the exercise is by invitation only and till now, apart from the US and NATO countries, few have been given the opportunity to participate. The regime is tough, which is why the experience is prized and now that the Indian Air force has had a series of exercises with the US, and impressed by our pilots and their machines, the US air force has invited the IAF to ‘Red Flag’ 2008.

The IAF, of course, wants to go, but while the Air Force thinks of maneuvering in the air next year, ‘red flag’, has other connotations in India. The Left, always quick to protest any kind of engagement with the Americans has protested Air Force and Naval exercises in the past. The government however, would have none of that and they went right ahead and let the armed forces get all the exposure they needed.

Red Flag now seems to have become yet another subtle hint to the Left, and though they may protest all they want, the UPA is going to do precisely what it wants to do as well.