News Highlights
China and Pakistan on Sunday began “Sea Guardians”, four-day naval exercises off the coast of Shanghai
Two Countries claim that the exercise would pave the way for closer security cooperation between the two countries in the Indian Ocean.
Focus Points
- The exercises are the second edition of Sea Guardians
- The first edition of the ‘Sea Guardians’ exercise was held in January 2020 in the North Arabian Sea off Karachi
- Theme: “jointly dealing with maritime security threats”.
- Pakistan’s most advanced China-built frigate participates in the exercise
- Taimur is the second of four powerful Type 054A/P frigates built by China
- The drill’s goal is to enhance defence cooperation, conduct professional and technical exchanges between the two countries
China’s hold in Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea
- The Arabian sea provides entry to the Indian Ocean where China currently has built a logistic base at Djibouti in the Horn of Africa
- Besides building its first military base in Djibouti in the Horn of Africa in the Indian Ocean, China has acquired Pakistan’s Gwadar port in the Arabian Sea which connects with China’s Xinjiang province by land in the USD 60 billion China Pakistan Economic Corridor
- China is also developing Sri Lanka’s Hambantota port after it acquired it on 99 years lease.
- The modernisation of the Pakistan Navy coupled with the acquisition of the naval bases was expected to shore up the Chinese Navy’s presence in the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea
Other Major Exercises Between China and Pakistan
- Warrior: Series of joint land exercises
- Shaheen: Series of joint air exercises.
Pic Courtesy: The Hindu
Content Source: The Hindu