India, South Asia’s largest military power, will conduct army and air force combat exercises next week before a global audience that will exclude its neighbour Pakistan.

Representatives of as many as 65 countries including China, Sri Lanka, the UK, the US, France and Germany will witness the exercise in Rajasthan that borders Pakistan, said Vijay Narula, a defence ministry spokeperson. “There is no such cooperation with” Pakistan, he said.

“As part of military confidence-building measures, it will provide opportunities to observers from foreign countries to witness military assets and the capabilities of the Indian armed forces,” Army Spokesperson, said in New Delhi on Thursday.

In the exercise, dubbed Brazen Chariots, the army will test its missile-firing T-90 tank, an all-weather, air-defence missile system, unmanned aerial vehicles, electronic sensors and surveillance equipment.

The air force will lend support with fighter aircraft such as the Sukhoi 30, the MiG-27, the MiG-21 and attack helicopters.

India is increasing defence spending as neighbouring China, with which it has fought a war, develops its own fighter planes and Pakistan buys military aircraft from the US. India plans to buy planes, helicopters and guns to strengthen its armed forces against possible threats from neighbours.

India, with a $906 billion (Rs36.6 trillion) economy that has averaged 8.7% growth since 2003 and is home to 1.1 billion people, is seeking to establish its position as an emerging power in economic, military and global affairs.