SCO Military exercise started in Chebarkul, Russia
24th August, 2018Category: International
For the first time, the militaries of India and Pakistan are taking part in a mega anti-terror drill of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) formally started on 24 August 2018 at Chebarkul, Russia. India is participating in the drill for the first time since becoming a full member of the SCO in June 2017. At least 3,000 soldiers from China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, India and Pakistan are participating in the drill. The exercise will provide an opportunity to the armed forces of SCO nations to train in counter terrorism operations in urban scenario in a multinational and joint environment. From India, around 200 personnel consisting of the Indian Air Force, infantry and affiliated arms and services troops, are taking a part in the initiative.
As part of the SCO initiatives, the SCO Peace Mission Exercise is conducted biennially for the SCO member states. The joint exercise will strengthen mutual confidence, interoperability and enable sharing of best practices among armed forces of the SCO nations.
The SCO was established in Shanghai in 2001, with China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan as founding members. It expanded to include India and Pakistan in 2017. While the previous SCO counter-terrorism drills were mainly limited to the Central Asian nations, with the arrival of India and Pakistan, the SCO’s mission has expanded to South Asia as well.
Read More: First Post, Press Information Bureau, The Hindustan Times