Nuclear Powers Conduct Overlapping Naval Drills in Arabian Sea
Pakistan has announced live-fire naval exercises in the same waters where India is conducting its largest military drills since Operation Sindoor, creating a tense standoff between the nuclear-armed neighbors.
Key Takeaways
- Pakistan’s live-fire drills (Nov 2-5) overlap with India’s “Trishul” exercise
- Both nuclear powers operating in same 6,000 sq km area of Arabian Sea
- Timing follows May’s Operation Sindoor near-conflict situation
- Sir Creek disputed territory lies within exercise zones
Simultaneous Military Exercises
Pakistan’s naval authorities issued warnings for November 2-5 exercises covering approximately 6,000 square kilometers in the northern Arabian Sea. This directly overlaps with India’s ongoing “Trishul” exercise involving warships, submarines, fighter jets, and tens of thousands of soldiers.
Pakistan’s alert stated bluntly: “Mariners keep well clear of exercise area.” The timing is particularly significant as Pakistan began drills just two days after India launched its massive two-week exercise spanning Rajasthan, Gujarat, and the Arabian Sea.
Operation Sindoor Legacy
The current exercises occur barely six months after Operation Sindoor in May, when India and Pakistan came dangerously close to all-out war. India launched the operation following the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, targeting terror camps and military installations deep inside Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh recently stated Pakistan is “still recovering” from the May confrontation. In October, he issued a stark warning about the Sir Creek sector, which falls within both countries’ current exercise zones.
Sir Creek Flashpoint
The Sir Creek sector, a 96-kilometer strip between Gujarat and Pakistan’s Sindh province, lies within the overlapping exercise zones. This territory has been disputed for decades, with no serious talks between India and Pakistan for over 13 years.
Recent reports indicate Pakistan has strengthened its military presence near Sir Creek, prompting Defence Minister Singh’s warning last month. Singh promised an “overwhelming response” that would “alter the history and geography of the area” if Pakistan attempted any provocative actions.
Geo-intelligence researcher Damien Symon noted on X that both countries have essentially carved out the same piece of ocean for their exercises, creating a high-stakes maritime standoff.
