(Image source from: The Times of India)
Nearly 200 Indian soldiers, chiefly drawn from the five Rajput Regiment, and airmen from the Indian Air Force, will train alongside Pakistani soldiers, besides military personnel of various other countries, including China and Russia, in an effort to get rid of terrorists and neutralize their networks.
It will mark the first time ever that Indian and Pakistani soldiers will train jointly. In the past, Indian and Pakistani soldiers have functioned lone under the United Nations mandate in foreign lands as peacekeepers.
The week-long exercise titled "Peace Mission 2018" will happen from August 22-29 at Chelyabinsk in west-central Russia under the umbrella of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
"The Indian soldiers, led by a Brigadier-rank officer, will fly out in an IL-76 with their weapons, while tanks and other heavy equipment will be provided by the Russians to be used by our soldiers from our mechanized units," according to sources.
The Indian military is precisely familiar with Russian weapons and weapon systems as most Indian weapons are of Russian root.
The two South Asian neighbors, both nuclear powers, have a resentful and acrimonious relation that has led to wars and perpetual cross-border firing. The India-Pakistan rancor is a possible flashpoint for future wars.
In 2020, Chelyabinsk, located close to the Ural mountains, will as well host the gathering of the Council of Heads of SCO nations and the meeting of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) leaders.
"Peaceful Mission 2018", held once in two years will be the fifth edition of the multilateral exercise but this will be the first time for both India and Pakistan, that became SCO members on June 9, 2017.
Being the host country, Russia is anticipated to take part in a big way in terms of men, material and sophisticated weapon systems, to be followed closely by China.
By Sowmya Sangam
