SCO's multi-lateral military drill in Russia next month

New Delhi, Aug 7 Aug 7 (IANS) Though they are ranged against each other along the border, troops of India and Pakistan along with China will participate in a multilateral military exercise as a part of SCO to be held in Russia next month.According to sources, the drill called TSENTR-2019, will be held in Orenburg from September 10 to 21 in which all member-states of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) will take part.The SCO member-states the drill will see the participation of Mangolia, Turkmenistan, Belarus and Iran in the 12-day exercise.For the second time in a row India will be a part of the drill and around 140 troops of the Indian Army will participate.According to sources, the purpose of the exercise will be execution of fighting international terrorism and providing security in Central Asian Region.Last year, the joint exercise was held at Chebarkul, Chelyabinsk, Russia and it was India's maiden participation after becoming a full member of the SCO in June 2017. In 2017, India and Pakistan became a member of SCO which came into existence in 1996 with China, Kazakhstan, Krygystan, Russia and Tajikstan as members.For the past few months, especially after the Pulwama terror attack, the relation between India and Pakistan has nose dived.
--IANS rbe/prs