Amidst growing speculations between the closing ties of China and Pakistan against India, the two countries launched a joint air force exercise in Pakistan to “strengthen operational ties”. This exercise named ‘Shaheen 5’ is fifth such drill between the two countries.
It began on 9th April, 2016 and will take place till 30th April, 2016.
The exercise between the “all-weather friends” Pakistan and China would feature fighter aircraft, bombers and AEW&CS. It seeks to boost bilateral relations between the two nations.
The exercise even comes when Pakistan wants to upgrade its air force from its present F16-dependent fleet which can do very little against Indian aircraft its domestic insurgents. For this, China is extending support in Pakistan’s plans to invest in building a joint fighter, the ‘JF-17 Thunder’.
In the middle of a controversy when China rejected India’s plea to name Pakistan based JeM militant Masood Azhar as an international terrorist and growing insurgency from Pakistani side in India, the exercise could turn out to be a threat for India’s national security.
Should India be allowed to intervene in such cases or should India also join the ties between the militaries of Pakistan and China?
