USS O'Kane, Pakistan Navy Conduct Joint Exercise

The United States Navy's USS O'Kane recently conducted a bilateral exercise with Pakistan Navy Ship Babur in the North Arabian Sea, aimed at enhancing interoperability and reaffirming their commitment to regional maritime peace. This collaboration, noted by the Pakistan Navy's media wing, supports efforts against terrorism, piracy, and human trafficking. The exercise highlights the deep-rooted ties between the two navies and their joint commitment to stability in the region. Concurrently, Pakistan is set to host the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, which will see the attendance of Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar for the first time in nearly a decade. However, analysts predict no significant thaw in India-Pakistan relations amid ongoing tensions over Kashmir. The meeting coincides with increased security concerns in Pakistan following recent militant attacks.