US, China starts war game with Pakistan in Arabian Sea
Islamabad: US, China and 10 other countries are participating in a five-day war-game hosted by the Pakistan Navy to deter terrorism and piracy in the North Arabian Sea.
Pakistan and the other countries will also work towards “information-sharing, mutual understanding and identifying areas of common interest.” The exercise, being held for the fourth time since 2007, will help develop tactics and procedures as well as improve cooperation between the navies, the statement said.
Rear Admiral Khan Hasham Bin Saddique, the Commander of the Pakistan Navy fleet, said the use of sea routes for terrorism, human trafficking, smuggling and piracy are major concerns. “We need to make collective efforts to eliminate these for lasting peace in the region,” he told the media earlier this week.
The US Navy has sent the USS William P Lawrence, a Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, to participate in the multinational exercise. Other countries that have sent warships include Australia, Bangladesh, China, Japan, Sri Lanka and Turkey. Among the countries that have sent observers are Brazil, Canada, Egypt, Germany, the Maldives, Myanmar, Russia and Saudi Arabia.
