New Delhi: China and Pakistan has begun a nine day naval exercise in the North Arabian Sea during a time India and Pakistan is having a tense relation. India has responded by sending its aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya in the Arabian Sea. The aircraft is carrying MiG29K fighters on board.
Sources say that the deployment of INS Vikramaditya has a strategic objective. Top officials of the Naval Headquarters were on board when the aircraft was deployed..
The Deputy of Chief of Naval Staff, M. S. Pawar reviewed INS Vikramaditya’s operations and was pleased of the intense air operations. He said that the aircraft will live up to the name and remain victorious in battle.
It must be noted that China and Pakistan is conducting the naval exercise called ‘Sea Guardians’ at a time when India and Pakistan is having tense relations. Besides the exercise involves submarines, destroyers and frigates. The exercise is aimed at increasing the inter operability and strategic cooperation between Chinese and Pakistani navies.
China is trying to expand its naval power in the North Arabian Sea as a bulwark against India. They are also developing the deepwater Gwadar port as part of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).