BEIJING – China expects a big headway in improvement of Pakistan-Indiarelationship, overcoming their trust-gap in security relating issues, underthe framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
China, that looks forward to play an constructive role ináseekingaánegotiated settlement of the two countriesĺ bilateral disputes, believesthat the SCO could be an effective platform to address the common agenda,that is toáfight out terrorism from the region, diplomatic circles saidhere on Saturday.
Chinese ForeignáMinister Wang Yi in an interview has expressed hisconfidence that theáSCO can contribute to the improvement of relationsbetweenáIndiaáandáPakistan.
“We know there are existing and historical unresolved conflicts betweenPakistanáandáIndia. But I think after they joined the SCO, mayábe we canprovide a better platform and opportunities for the building of relationsbetween them,” he added.
For the first time, the militaries ofáIndiaáandáPakistanáare taking part inan ongoing mega anti-terror drill of the SCO ináRussiaáaimed at expandingcooperation among the member countries to deal with the growing menace ofterrorism and extremism.It is a step forward ináachieving the goal ofáhaving joint working forpromotingápeace and stability in the region, officials said.The counter-terrorism drill by SCO countries, began last Wednesday, is thelargest under the SCO charter with the participation of India and Pakistanfor the first time, and Chinese experts say the drill will greatlycontribute to stability in Central and South Asia.á
Theá joint drill which will be held until August 29, see the participationof at least 3,000 soldiers from China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan,Kyrgyzstan, India and Pakistan, and 10 representatives from Uzbekistan willserve as observers.
The main areas of the joint drill include field reconnaissance, jointstrikes, and counter-terrorism operations in residential areas.áThe drill plays a positive role in deepening defense and securitycooperation among member countries, enhancing capacity in tackling newthreats and challenges, and safeguarding regional peace andstability,áChina’s Ministry of National Defenceáspokesperson Ren Guoqiangsaid at a recent press conference.á
The previous SCO counter-terrorism drills were mainly limited toáCentralAsia. But because of the entry ofáIndiaáandáPakistan, the SCO’scounter-terrorism mission has expanded to South Asia, Li Wei, acounter-terrorism expert at the China Institute of ContemporaryInternational Relations inBeijing.á
“The effective counter-terrorism cooperation among SCO countries hasgreatly undermined terrorist groups in Central Asia in recent years, andit’s expected that this effective cooperation will also boost stability inSouth Asia, a region facing a more complicated counter-terrorism situationwith a variety of active terrorist groups,” Li said.á
Sun Zhuangzhi, a professor at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, toldthe local media that Peace Mission 2018 will also greatly improve militaryand political mutual trust among SCO countries, especially between Indiaand Pakistan.á
“It’s a rare opportunity foráPakistanáandáIndia, which have long beeninvolved in military conflict, to enhance military exchanges and trust.This could improve regional stability,” Sun said.á
Peace Mission 2018 also created a historic chance for four major militarypowers in Eurasia -áChina,áRussia,áPakistanáandáIndiaá- to participate inthe same military drill.á
“But it’s worth pointing out that the four military powers in Eurasia willnot form joint military troops to threaten Western countries, as SCO’smilitary drills are open and transparent and are meant to contribute toregional and world stability,” Sun said.