Even though ties between India and Pakistan continue to remain strained, the two neighbours will participate together for the first time in a multi-nation counter-terrorism exercise in Russia in September.
The military exercise, being conducted by the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation on, will see the participation of almost member nations, including China. Quoting officials, PTI reported that Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had confirmed India’s presence during the SCO Defence Ministers’ meeting in Beijing last week.
Termed “Peace Mission”, the military exercise will be held at the Ural mountains of Russia and its main aim will be to enhance counter-terror cooperation among the eight SCO member countries. Even though military personnel of India and Pakistan have worked together in United Nations’ peace-keeping missions, it will be for the first time since Independence that the countries will take part in a military exercise.
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While repeated ceasefire violations by Pakistan from across the Line of Control and interference in Kashmir by lending support to militant groups have seen relations between the countries on a free fall, the participation in a joint military exercise is certainly a positive step.
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