"This is an excellent exercise. It has a great tactical and operational value for the Navy from the training point of view. They learn when they do integrated exercises with so many countries", the President said. He said this is a great exercise integrated with so many countries including China, United States, France, Italy, Malaysia and Bangladesh.
President Musharraf said that this exercise, at the strategic level, brings out the fact that the Indian Ocean and the northern part of Arabian Sea are of great strategic significance. He pointed out that Pakistan has a tremendous role to play in the security and peace of this region, of this ocean and the sea here.
"This is substantiated by the very fact that so many countries are taking part. There are observers from 27 different countries with physical participation from eight different countries, which is manifestation of the importance of the exercise, importance of Pakistan in the security of this region", the President said.
He reiterated that Pakistan's arms are for peace. "Arms for Peace is also the motto of our exhibition IDEAS". Replying to a question, the President said that he was fully satisfied regarding the preparedness of the Pakistan armed forces.
"We are prepared for any external threat. There should be no doubt in anyone's mind, internally and externally, that Pakistan today is much stronger than it ever was. The strength of Pakistan's armed forces - army, navy, air force, will keep growing by every day," he added.
To a question from a Chinese journalist, President Musharraf said that Pakistan and China are very friendly and close. He said that the friendship of Pakistan and China is deeper than the oceans and higher than the mountains. The President further said that the relationship between the navies of Pakistan and China is also strong.
He said the relations of Pakistan and China will grow further with the passage of time because of the significance of this region and the importance of the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea. The President said that the navies of Pakistan and China must collaborate for peace and security of the seas.
He said Pakistan and China have a lot of co-operation in defence production. He cited the example of Al-Khalid Tank, a joint production. The President further said that Pakistan has already got two JF 17 fighter aircraft and that these will appear in Pakistan's skies on March 23.