The economic stability, sustainability and further diversification of Pakistan’s macro-economy heavily depend upon the success of CPEC Phase 2.0. It would be one of the main stimulators of geo-economics securing vested interests of the country, especially the immense development of the blue economy, maritime security and maritime tourism in the days to come.
It is obvious that rapidly emerging geopolitical and geostrategic scenarios in the region and beyond the role of Pakistan Navy (PN) has become permanently paramount in the region and hopefully, AMAN-2025 will further strengthen its role in the days to come.
Unfortunately, global trade has become hostage to global geopolitics which has polluted its waters and oceans too. The ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict has ruined blue economy and maritime security in Black Sea, Iranian threat to disturb the Strait of Hormuz in case of any unpleasant western sanctions or aggression, emergence of the Asia NATO in the Indo-Pacific Region, besieging of South China Sea/Taiwan by the allied/anti-China forces, massive militarization in the South China Sea, the US China containment policy in the shape of the formation and activation of Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD) and the trilateral security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States (AUKUS) are creating hurdles for the safety and security of the blue economy. Even energy and food security have been further compromised. Additionally, India’s increasing naval force and obsession of nuclear submarines has encouraged the PN to take all possible measures to protect its vested interests.
The success of CPEC Phase 2.0 is closely tied to the Pakistan Navy’s (PN) commitment to safeguarding the country’s blue economy, coastal areas, and waters. The PN’s role in securing CPEC’s commercial and security interests is critical and the AMAN-2025 exercise will further enhance its capabilities and preparedness. With the theme “Together for Peace,” AMAN 2025 aligns with the CPEC Phase 2.0’s goals of promoting the prosperity of Gwadar seaport, boosting socio-economic, geopolitical and geostrategic stability. It positions the PN to strengthen maritime security and counter Indian geopolitical manoeuvres, supporting the development of the blue economy and securing Pakistan’s maritime interests.
AMAN-2025, set to host over 50 countries, will solidify the PN’s commitment to protecting sea lanes and combat illicit activities in the Indian Ocean. This exercise will foster regional cooperation, enhance interoperability and unite efforts against maritime terrorism and piracy. Scheduled for February 7-11, 2025, in Karachi, the event will feature the AMAN Dialogue, where naval and defence leaders will exchange ideas on global and regional security challenges, offering innovative solutions to evolving threats at sea.
Obviously, the Aman 2025 maritime exercise will further ensure maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) aiming to promote international cooperation among regional and extra-regional naval forces enhancing strategic preparedness to grapple with an array of maritime security challenges emanating from the Indian Ocean. Thus it vividly reflects the resolve of the country to protect vital sea lanes, curb maritime threats and ensure a secure-cum-prosperous region which would also be beneficial for the further development of CPEC Phase 2.0 and its strategic expansion in the days to come.
It seems that the emerging geopolitics of the Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs) extending from Australia’s Western Coast in East to strategically significant Mozambique Channel in West, the Arabian Sea and Persian Gulf are disturbing the geo-economics of Asia. Africa, Europe, and beyond which needs to be rectified and successful holding of the AMAN-2025 would give an ideal platform of joint deliberation of forming a joint security system securing blue economies.
Additionally, the Indian Ocean has become an important maritime route holding 23 out of 100 key container ports in the world for easy and smooth oil supplies. It involves seven choke points including the Mozambique Channel, Sunda Strait and Lombok Strait. Malacca Strait, Suez Canal, Bab-el-Mandeb and Strait of Hormuz clearly demonstrate the strategic value of peace, stability and harmony in the region and beyond and hopefully the AMAN-2025 would be a giant step towards greater regional peace and prosperity.
Pakistan’s proximity to the Strait of Hormuz makes it one of the most pivotal littoral states of the Indian Ocean. More than 90 percent of the country’s trade is sea-based, signifying its sheer dependence on the ocean for trade and commerce. The inception of the CPEC Phase 2.0 with its crown jewel Gwadar Seaport has tremendously augmented Pakistan’s strategic significance and its stakes in IOR.
In summary, maritime security has become a cornerstone of the PN national narrative consisting of anti-piracy, marine environmental degradation and smuggling and trafficking undermining safe and secure access to the region.
It augurs well that AMAN-2025 will inaugurate AMAN Dialogue themed “Secure Seas, Prosperous Future,” focusing on security challenges in the Indian Ocean including strategic competition, piracy, narco-trafficking, non-state actors, resource exploitation, climate change, emerging technologies like AI and unmanned systems, the blue economy and the need for global collaboration to ensure stability and prosperity. Thus the main objectives are to promote peace and regional cooperation, enhance interoperability with regional and extra regional navies, thereby acting as a bridge between the regions, displaying united resolve against terrorism and crimes in the maritime domain.”
To conclude AMAN 2025 stands for collaborative narrative towards peace in IOR. Moreover, the exercise is a testament to the Pakistan Navy’s professional competence and staunch commitment to taking the lead against threats at sea.
AMAN 2025 has become an effective instrument of ‘Naval Diplomacy’ bringing together navies from various regions of the world to increase mutual understanding, galvanize information sharing and further mutual preparedness against threats in maritime domain.
The author suggests that the policy makers of Pakistan Navy and CPEC Phase 2.0 should chalk out a holistic and comprehensive policy further integrating resources and capacities for the strategic expansion of the CPEC, development of the blue economy, tourism, fisheries and, importantly, energy and food security.
