Eyebrows raised over Pak, Indian armies joining SCO exercises

ISLAMABAD: Eyebrows have been raised in world capitals at the decision of the armies of Pakistan and India to join other armies from the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) to undertake military exercises together with China, Kazakhstan, Krgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

Especially, when the two countries do not even play cricket against each other on home grounds and when on daily basis they are active against each other on the Line of Control.

When the issue of SCO joint exercises was raised at the Foreign Office weekly press briefing Thursday, the spokesman Dr Muhammad Faisal was reluctant to give details of how the Pakistan Army arrived at this bold decision.

“This is under the ambit of SCO. I will share more details with you later,” the spokesman commented.

The News understands that besides other SCO states, it is China that is behind this unprecedented move, which has nudged the South Asian neighbours to join these military exercises instead of sitting on the sidelines.

However, on the political front, the prime ministers of Pakistan and India did not even shake hands during the recent CHOGM summit in London. “There is no confirmation of any handshake or a formal meeting,” the spokesman said.

Pakistan expressed its confidence at the forthcoming visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to China, saying that it was not perturbed specially since Pakistan and China friendship is all-weather and time-tested.

“The strategic partnership between Pakistan and China is based on mutual trust and convergence of interests on bilateral, regional and international issues. Pakistan-China relations are not aimed against any country,” the spokesman said while adding that it would be pertinent to recall words of Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s recent statement that, “China-Pakistan all-weather strategic partnership is not only valuable treasure of the two countries, but also stands as an example for building new type of international relations. These bilateral relations remain a priority in the foreign policy of both countries. We resolutely support each other’s core and major interests; strengthen collaboration on international and regional affairs to build China-Pakistan community of common destiny”. Instead, the spokesman pointed to the unprecedented Indian ceasefire violations continuing from 2017. “In 2018 23 innocent civilians have embraced martyrdom and more than 100 others have been injured in over 1000 ceasefire violations,” the spokesman said asking New Delhi to give rhetoric and threats a rest. “India should walk the talk and refrain from provocative statements. Our armed forces practice restraint but have the capacity and are ever vigilant to give a befitting response to any threat to the motherland,” he added.

In a belated response after the US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, has left, the spokesman thought it prudent to dwell on her meeting with the foreign secretary. It was evident that there was no agreement either on Pakistan’s Afghan policy and restrictions on movement from May 1 on Pakistani diplomats in Washington amongst other issues.

However, the spokesman hinted that as far as the killing of a Pakistani youth by the US defence attaché was concerned, “Ambassador Wells expressed condolences for the victim of this tragic accident. Both sides agreed that the matter will be resolved as per applicable laws”. “Reiterating Pakistan’s stance for a politically negotiated settlement, owned and led by the Afghans, Pakistan reaffirmed its constructive participation in all regional and bilateral mechanisms aimed at pursuing a peaceful solution to the Afghan conflict.