ISLAMABAD – The Indian Ocean Region is having immense political andeconomic opportunities for Pakistan. The safety of sea-lanes is crucial forits economic prosperity and sovereign defense. Indeed, the cashing ofpolitical and economic opportunities requires stability in the region,intelligent engagement with the littoral states of the Indian Ocean andcomprehensive maritime security policy.
Pakistan is among the leading littoral state of the Indian Ocean. It sharesa 990km long coastline located at the heart of the Arabian. Notably, theIndian Ocean region is the world’s third largest Ocean after the Atlanticand the Pacific Ocean. The geo-strategic and geo-economic significance ofthe Indian Ocean makes it very attractive for the seafaring nations’economic survival and development. It is because, it connects three shoresof the continents, Africa, Australia and Asia and its southern endoutstretch Antarctica.
Therefore, it provides small economic routes for transportation andcommunications between two seas. Moreover, it is an intersection to theMediterranean Sea, Bab-el-Mandeb, Red sea to the Suez Canal and the PacificOcean through the Malaaca strait. Precisely, it provides a major traderoute connecting Europe and America through the Middle East, Africa and theEast Asia.
Pakistan is heavily depended on the seaborne trade. On May 7, 2018, PrimeMinister Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, while addressing anInternational Maritime Symposium, organized by Maritime Institute, BahriaUniversity pointed out that ‘Pakistan’s exclusive economic zone is almost40% of the country’s land mass but it remained undeveloped. He said itsdevelopment is critical as almost 80% of the trade volume in the world isdone by sea.’ Indeed, the development of exclusive economic zone would becatalyst for foreign direct investment.
The encouraging development is that the government is not only cognizant ofthe maritime resources, but is also keen to utilize oceanic advantageous.It is setting up modern shipyard at Gwadar. Premier Abbasi announced thatthe government is also trying to establish another shipyard along Pakistanicoast in the private sector. The building of shipyards is a right step inthe right direction to benefit from costal industry. In addition, theHigher Education Commission of Pakistan is establishing Gwadar University.
The University primary focus is to produce high quality human resource,support advance research, innovation and creation of new knowledge andshall be responsible for economic, social, and cultural development of theregion. It would fill the gap in educational and technological fields,which may creep up due to upcoming high profile projects underChina-Pakistan Economic Corridor. Perhaps, such developments wouldcontribute significantly to country’s economy.
The strategic environment of the Indian Ocean is complex due to precariousstrategic competition among the Great powers. The critical examination ofthe global political landscape reveals that the region would experienceextra-regional actors decisive interference in its affairs.
The danger of a Great Power confrontation is underlined by the continuingAmerican naval presence in the region; Chinese dependency on the sea-linesof Indian Ocean; and India’s naval expansion program. In addition, thePersian/Arabic Gulf contains the high risk of a serious military conflictdue to regional competition for influence between/among Iran and Qatarversus Saudi Arab and United Arab Emirates; the risk of asymmetric war inthe Gulf; conventional arms race; Iran’s buildup of ballistic missileforce; and Trump administration Iran policy.
President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw the US from the 2015 Irannuclear deal and reimpose sanctions alarmed about the probability ofnuclear arms race in the Persian Gulf. On May 8, 2018, President Trumpstated: “Today, we have definitive proof that this Iranian promise was alie.” He claimed that the agreement “allowed Iran to continue enrichinguranium.”
In simple terms he alleged Tehran for continuing developing its nuclearweapon program. He added added. “The fact is, this was a horrible one-sideddeal that should have never, ever been made. It didn’t bring calm. Itdidn’t bring peace, and it never will.” Undeniably, the revival of nucleartussle between Washington and Tehran is perilous for the regional strategicstability.
Without security the economic stability is impossible. The coastal linedefense and guarding of maritime interests necessitate the maintenance of astrong Navy. According to Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi“despite numerous challenges, Pakistan Navy has formulated a robuststrategy to safeguard national maritime interests.” Pakistan Navy’scapability to ensure maritime security certainly enhance its economicconnectivity with the other seafaring nations as well as land lockedCentral Asian Republics. It also boosts CPEC, which is the flagship projectof China’s one-belt, one-road initiative.
To conclude, the constitution and execution of comprehensive maritimesecurity policy, is imperative for the pursuit of Pakistan’s nationalinterest.Dr Zafar Nawaz Jaspal — The writer is Associate Professor, School ofPolitics and International Relations, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad.