Moscow, September 9: The team of Indian Army left for Russia to take part in the multilateral Exercise TSENTR 2019 on Monday. The multilateral exercise conducted by the Central Military Commission of Russia is aimed at countering the threat of international terrorism. A total of eight nations are taking part in the mega event which is scheduled to take place between September 9 and 23 at Donguz training ranges in Russia's Orenburg. India, Pakistan at Anti-Terror Drill in Russia Despite Tensions Over Article 370 Repeal in Jammu & Kashmir.

Interestingly, the Pakistan Army and China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) are also taking part in the military exercise. The other countries will be part of the multilateral exercise are - Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. The military exercise aims at evolving drills of the participating armies and practising them in the fight against the scourge of international terrorism, thereby ensuring military security in the strategic Central Asian region.

Indian army's Tweet:

The 2019 edition of the exercise will comprise two modules. The first module will include counter-terror operations, repelling airstrikes, reconnaissance operations and defensive measures, while the second will focus on offensive operations. India, Pakistan Part of Joint Military Drill in Russia.

It will be the first occasion, when armed forces from the nuclear-powered neighbours - India and Pakistan, will participate at a common platform ever since the Balakot anti-terror airstrikes in February. Diplomatic relations between both the countries were affected following the Balakot incident. Meanwhile, the relations reached a new low after India withdrew special status to Jammu and Kashmir by revoking Article 370 of the Constitution on August 5.

However, it is the second instance when the armies of India and Pakistan are participating together on any military exercise. Last year in August, militaries of both the nations took part in a mega anti-terror drill of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Russia.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 09, 2019 10:16 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).