By Ali Ahmed
Pakistan’s strategic position in South Asia, with a coastline that stretches over 1,000 kilometers along the northern edge of the Arabian Sea, places it at the heart of some of the world’s most crucial trade and energy transit routes.
Its access to the Gulf of Oman, the Gulf of Aden, and the Persian Gulf not only makes it a key player in international commerce but also underscores its pivotal role in the global energy supply chain. The significance of Pakistan’s location is heightened by its proximity to the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical chokepoints for oil shipments. With much of the world’s energy trade passing through this narrow passage, Pakistan’s role in securing these maritime routes cannot be overstated.
The Strait of Hormuz is an essential artery for global oil trade, and Pakistan’s access to it gives the country the opportunity to exert significant influence over global energy flows. More than just an energy transit route, Pakistan’s location offers an important gateway for trade between Central Asia, the Middle East, and the rest of the world. This geographic advantage gives Pakistan a considerable strategic edge, not only in regional politics but in the global geopolitical arena as well.
The country’s two major ports, Karachi and Gwadar, are central to its maritime strategy. Karachi is Pakistan’s largest port and handles a significant share of the country’s cargo traffic, while Gwadar, with its deep-water capabilities, is being developed to serve as a major transshipment hub. Gwadar’s location, near key shipping lanes, positions it as an increasingly important node for energy transit between the Persian Gulf and China, as well as a crucial link connecting Central Asia to global markets. Under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Gwadar’s strategic importance is amplified, with the port being developed to serve as a key part of the growing China-Pakistan trade network.
Yet, despite these economic and strategic opportunities, Pakistan’s maritime importance is not without its challenges. As competition intensifies for control of critical sea routes, Pakistan finds itself caught in the crossfire of competing regional and global powers. Its maritime interests are increasingly subject to the influence of neighbours like India, as well as external powers, each with their own agendas and strategic priorities in the Indian Ocean and beyond. In this complex and volatile environment, the role of the Pakistan Navy in securing vital sea lanes and protecting maritime commerce is indispensable.
In this regard, the Pakistan Navy has a crucial role to play. It is tasked with ensuring the security of key maritime trade routes in the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman, areas that are not only vital for global commerce but also central to the broader geopolitical competition in the region. Pakistan Navy’s responsibilities are manifold. It is entrusted with protecting vital trade routes, conducting counter-piracy operations, monitoring maritime activity along its extensive coastline, and ensuring that international maritime laws are upheld. Pakistan’s Navy also works closely with regional and global naval forces, participating in multinational efforts to combat terrorism, human trafficking, and other maritime security threats.
More than a defense force, the Pakistan Navy acts as a regional peacekeeper, ensuring the safe passage of vital goods, especially energy shipments, which are essential not only for Pakistan’s own energy security but for the broader stability of the region. With much of Pakistan’s energy requirements relying on imports, many of which pass through the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman, the Navy’s role in securing these transit routes is vital.
Amid these maritime rivalries and challenges, Pakistan has sought to strengthen its position through active participation in multinational exercises aimed at enhancing regional cooperation and security. One such initiative is AMAN-25, a multinational naval exercise hosted by Pakistan. This biennial event brings together naval forces from around the world to collaborate on addressing common maritime threats such as piracy, terrorism, and the illegal trafficking of goods. AMAN-25 is not only an opportunity for Pakistan to showcase its growing naval capabilities but also serves as a vital platform for building trust and fostering collaboration among regional and extra-regional powers.
By hosting AMAN-25, Pakistan demonstrates its commitment to regional security and its growing role as a regional leader in maritime cooperation. Through joint training exercises, participating nations can share intelligence, coordinate naval operations, and develop strategies to safeguard critical maritime routes. AMAN-25 is more than just a military exercise; it is a demonstration of Pakistan’s willingness to engage diplomatically and cooperatively with other nations to ensure the security of global trade routes, further enhancing its geopolitical standing.
In addition to AMAN-25, Pakistan will also conduct the AMAN Dialogue, which serves as a key platform for diplomatic engagement on maritime security. The dialogue brings together officials from various countries to discuss maritime governance, security cooperation, and the legal frameworks that govern the seas. This diplomatic component is a critical part of Pakistan’s strategy to reduce tensions, foster mutual understanding, and encourage dialogue in an otherwise competitive and sometimes adversarial regional environment. The AMAN Dialogue not only helps reduce the risk of conflict but also creates avenues for collaboration and consensus-building on shared maritime concerns. This positions Pakistan as a diplomatic leader, fostering stronger relationships with both regional partners and global powers.
In conclusion, Pakistan’s strategic location, bolstered by initiatives like AMAN-25 and the AMAN Dialogue, offers the country a unique opportunity to enhance its regional and global influence. By leveraging its strategic location, growing naval capabilities, and commitment to multilateral cooperation, Pakistan can continue to play a central role in the security of the Arabian Sea and the wider Indian Ocean. These efforts not only protect Pakistan’s maritime interests but also contribute to the broader goal of ensuring the free flow of global trade and the stability of vital energy transit routes. In a world where competition for control of maritime chokepoints is intensifying, Pakistan’s active engagement in multinational exercises and dialogues helps solidify its role as a key player in the evolving geopolitical landscape.
