Web Desk / New Delhi
Despite heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following revocation of article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, the soldiers of the two hostile neighbours are all set to participate in a multi-nation military exercise to be conducted in Russia from September 9 to 23. Notably, the exercise will also involve China, another sensitive neighbor of India.
The two countries will be part of exercise ‘TSENTR 2019’, which is annual series of large-scale exercises that form part of the Russian Armed Forces’ annual training cycle.
“This year, invitations for participation have been extended to nine other countries. This year’s Exercise TSENTR 2019 will be conducted by the Central Military Commission of Russia. Apart from host Russia, military contingents from China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Pakistan and Uzbekistan will also take part in this mega event,” an official release from PRO Army said.
The exercise, scheduled to take place between September 9 to 23 at Donguz training ranges in Russia’s Orenburg, aims at evolving drills of the participating armies and practising them in the fight against the scourge of international terrorism thereby ensuring military security in the strategic Central Asian region.
“The TSENTR-2019 strategic measures will focus on evaluating the level of troop preparedness, the acquisition of the required skills and raising the level of inter-operability and demonstrate the readiness of the participating armies,” read the release.
Last year around the same time, India and Pakistan were part of multilateral exercise in Russia as part of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) turned into a meeting ground for soldiers from India and Pakistan who came together to enjoy filled with Bollywood songs and dancing.
But since then several military events have happened. India launched an air strike on Balakot on February 26 and a day later the air forces of the two countries were locked in air duel in which Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman was shot and he shot an enemy aircraft.
On August 5, Indian Parliament amended Article 370 which has raised the hackles on Pakistan.