Aman-21: Pakistan-Russia in Close Cooperation for Peace

The AMAN series of multinational exercises was launched in 2007 to promote regional cooperation and stability, greater interoperability, and display a united resolve against terrorism and crimes in the maritime domain, including Piracy. AMAN-21 is the 7th such exercise and washeld on 11–16 February 2021 at Karachi, Pakistan. The 8^th exercise will be held in 2023.

As many as 46 countries and 115 observers participated in the Aman-19 naval exercises and around 11 navies, including Russia, China, U.S., U.K., Australia, Turkey, Italy, and Malaysia, participated with their warships. The event was attended by many dignitaries, ambassadors, defense attaches, and senior military/civil officialsfrom the world over.

AMAN-21 was held in two phases: the harbor phase and the sea phase. The harbor phase was comprised of the International Maritime Conference, seminars, table talks, cross shipvisits, and the International Band Display and Maritime Counter Terrorism Demonstration. In contrast, the sea phase included practical execution of operational plans and activities finalized during the harbor phase.

The exercise was held with focused objectives in mind, including enhancing interoperability with regional and extra-regional navies, thereby acting as a bridge between the regions and displaying a united resolve against terrorism and crimes in the maritime domain.

Both countries are close allies with China and share a shared visionfor peace in Afghansitan. Both agree that the Indian turn towards the U.S. and its involvement in the Asia-Pacific Alliance with the U.S., Australia, and Japan is a threat to this region. It is worth mentioning that India has not participated in neither the Aman-21 exercises, nor the SCO military exercises held last year. But India has hosted Malabar (India) Military Exercises with the Quad – The U.S., Australia, and Japan last year. India lacks interest in the region and focuses its interests morewith the Quad.

Both Russia and Pakistan are responsible states and are committed to regional cooperation and peace. It is expected that the relationship between the two countries will, in the near future, become even closer in the pursuit for Peace.

The chief guest of the event, The President of Pakistan, Dr. Arif Alvi, expressed the hope that AMAN-21 will lead to the establishment of peace and security in the regionthanks to combined efforts of all the stake holders involved.

The AMAN series of multinational exercises was launched in 2007 to promote regional cooperation and stability, greater interoperability, and display a united resolve against terrorism and crimes in the maritime domain, including Piracy. AMAN-21 is the 7th such exercise and washeld on 11–16 February 2021 at Karachi, Pakistan. The 8^th exercise will be held in 2023.

As many as 46 countries and 115 observers participated in the Aman-19 naval exercises and around 11 navies, including Russia, China, U.S., U.K., Australia, Turkey, Italy, and Malaysia, participated with their warships. The event was attended by many dignitaries, ambassadors, defense attaches, and senior military/civil officialsfrom the world over.

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AMAN-21 was held in two phases: the harbor phase and the sea phase. The harbor phase was comprised of the International Maritime Conference, seminars, table talks, cross shipvisits, and the International Band Display and Maritime Counter Terrorism Demonstration. In contrast, the sea phase included practical execution of operational plans and activities finalized during the harbor phase.

The exercise was held with focused objectives in mind, including enhancing interoperability with regional and extra-regional navies, thereby acting as a bridge between the regions and displaying a united resolve against terrorism and crimes in the maritime domain.

Russia was represented in the drills by a naval group of the Black Sea Fleet that consisted of the frigate Admiral Grigorovich with a deck-based helicopter, the patrol vessel Dmitry Rogachev and the rescue tug SB-739. The United States' naval ships, China, the U.K., Japan, Turkey, Pakistan, and other countries also participated in the exercise. The drills involved 46 nations, including the militaries from NATO countries, Russia, Iran, Ukraine, and even observers from Switzerland, Uzbekistan, and other states that do not have their own navies. Considering its size, the event created an important platform for the promotion of internationalunderstanding, cooperation, and harmony, with one slogan, “ Together for Peace.” Pakistan’s quest for peace was met with global recognition and admiration.

It was the first time Russia participated in a joint exercise with the NATO members in ten years. The Russian and NATO naval forces last took part in a joint maritime training at the Bold Monarch in 2011 off the coast of Spain.

It was noted that the relationship between the navies of Russia and Pakistan became closer, and better coordination was observed. Both Navies are determined to promote peace and stability in the Arabian Ocean. They exchanged their own experiences with each other and are committed to further strengthen their cooperation.

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Furthermore, the relationship between the two countries is also increasingon diplomatic, economic, and strategic fronts. Trade and investments between the two countries are growing exponentially. The cooperation in Education, Tourism, and people to people contacts are also gradually rising. There exists understanding and harmony between the two nations concerning regional peace, joint collaboration, and internal developments.

Both countries are close allies with China and share a shared visionfor peace in Afghansitan. Both agree that the Indian turn towards the U.S. and its involvement in the Asia-Pacific Alliance with the U.S., Australia, and Japan is a threat to this region. It is worth mentioning that India has not participated in neither the Aman-21 exercises, nor the SCO military exercises held last year. But India has hosted Malabar (India) Military Exercises with the Quad — The U.S., Australia, and Japan last year. India lacks interest in the region and focuses its interests morewith the Quad.

Both Russia and Pakistan are responsible states and are committed to regional cooperation and peace. It is expected that the relationship between the two countries will, in the near future, become even closer in the pursuit for Peace.

The chief guest of the event, The President of Pakistan, Dr. Arif Alvi, expressed the hope that AMAN-21 will lead to the establishment of peace and security in the regionthanks to combined efforts of all the stake holders involved.