Vladimir Putin and Imran Khan pose for a photo. PHOTO: AFP
Why is Russia participating in the AMAN-2021 naval drills?
The improvement of relations with Pakistan allows Moscow to perfect its sensitive “balancing” act in Eurasia
The Russian Navy’s Black Sea Fleet announced on Thursday that it plans to participate in next year’s multinational AMAN-2021 naval drills to be hosted by Pakistan. These biennial exercises aim to improve joint coordination in maritime rescue missions and combating piracy, among other issues of common concern. It’s extremely symbolic that Russia agreed to participate since its fleet said that it’ll be the first time since the “Bold Monarch-2011” exercises off of the Spanish coast that its naval forces will join NATO’s. Other than Pakistan, Russia, and the US, nearly 30 other countries’ navies will take part in next year’s drills too.