KARACHI, Pakistan (AP) – The Pakistani Navy launched a five-day multinational military exercise in the Arabian Sea on Friday as part of Islamabad’s year-long effort to bring security to the area, she said, though, as always, regional arch-rival India has not been invited.
The biannual “Aman” or peace exercise began with a ceremonial hoisting of the flags of participating nations in the port city of Karachi. High-ranking military representatives, diplomats and officers of the Pakistani Navy were present.
More than 40 countries, including the United States, Russia, Britain and China, are participating, with some sending ships, aircraft or special operations forces, he added.
Russia joined the exercise alongside NATO forces for the first time in many years in the area, stating in a statement by the Ministry of Defense that its objective was “to strengthen and develop military cooperation between countries participating in the maneuvers in favor of security and stability. “
Pakistan has hosted the exercise since 2007, but has never invited neighboring India, and bitter relations remain after three wars between the two since independence from British rule in 1947.
The exercise began days after Turkish troops arrived in Pakistan for a separate joint military exercise on land, in addition to sending a contingent for naval exercises.