MOSCOW (Sputnik), Svetlana Alexandrova — The International Army Games represent an extremely useful platform for developing cooperation between the participating countries, the head of the Indian delegation at the Games told Sputnik on Thursday.
The International Army Games, organized by the Russian Defense Ministry, will be held in various locations in Russia on August 1-15. More than 2,000 troops from 17 states are expected to take part in the games, and 400 foreign observers will be in attendance.
“This competition is a great platform for friendly cooperation between different countries,” Lt. Col. Vivek Suryakant Badve said.
Badve added that, in his opinion, the Army Games could contribute to the normalization of bilateral relations between India and Pakistan.
Relations between India and Pakistan have been strained over the disputed Kashmir region following the end of British rule in the subcontinent almost seven decades ago.
Four wars and a number of military conflicts later, India and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire in 2003. Both sides have repeatedly accused each other of violating the truce.
