The end of Cold War witnessed the emergence of non-traditional security challenges in international political arena. Globalization enhanced interdependence on one hand and on other raise multinational and international threats, which emerged the significance of security policies and strategies to secure national interests. Blue diplomacy shifts the dynamics of politics toward ocean, making ocean as a source of economy. With this realization, states develop its maritime security strategies and took different initiatives for protection from miscellaneous threats of illegal activities like piracy, human trafficking, drug trafficking and smuggling of drugs and armaments.
Historically seen the main purpose of establishing navies, is to exert influence beyond their shores entails with additional responsibility to further strategic stability and peace at sea. Despite remained vigilant to defend its sea borders, Pakistan Navy has constantly been engaged in contributing its share at regional and international maritime realm to comply by the international obligations for collaboration. It has been a part of many UN peacekeeping mission and UN-mandated Combined Maritime Task Force 150(maritime security and counter-terrorism) and 151(counter piracy). The main objectives of these Task Forces wereto counter terrorism, prevent piracy, reduce illegal activities, and secure maritime environment. Since 2006, piracy incidents enhance around the world and its peak witnessed in 2009 to 2011 (410 in 2009, 445 in 2010 and 439 in 2011) respectively in Red Sea, Arabian Sea, Persian Gulf, Gulf of Aden and Somalia Basin. Enhancing these initiatives further, Pakistan Navy instituted Regional Maritime Security Patrols (RMSP), an initiative to continue support to uphold international efforts in the region. The main purpose to establish RSMP, is to ensure maritime security at sea for protection of domestic and international trade. Thus, contribution at large is the manifest projection of Pakistan as a state shouldering regional and international maritime commitments.
In order to strengthen interoperability and global efforts of maritime forces, Pakistan Navy started off multinational naval exercise ‘AMAN’in North Arabian Sea in 2007. This was marked as a blue diplomacy move by the Pakistan Navy bringing together Maritime Nations in the IOR and calling for galvanizing efforts to maintain strong correlations at sea.The exercise has been aptly named “AMAN”, which is the Urdu term for “PEACE”. It signifies Pakistan’s endeavor for peace while remaining fully prepared to ensure peace in the region. Pakistan Navy till to date had conducted seven AMAN exercises. The next year’s exercise is the 8th in number, which have been held biennially since 2007. All previous naval exercises of the AMAN series have been highly successful and not only were participated wholeheartedly by navies of friendly countries, ushering goodwill to Pakistan, but have also resulted in all participants including the host Pakistan Navy, gaining tremendous professional experience.
The main objective of AMAN series of multinational exercises is to promote regional cooperation and stability, greater interoperability and to display a united resolve against terrorism and crimes in maritime domain including piracy. Whereas in sea phase, the participating navies attend the military drills with their surface and air assets, special operation forces, and maritime teams. They are involved in various activities, including maneuvers, weapon firing drills, maritime interdiction operations, flying operations, search and rescue exercises, and international fleet review– all of this improves Pakistan Navy’s capability to combat nontraditional threats and improve the country’s soft image in the international community.
Moreover, this time alongside AMAN-23, an important maritime conference is going to be held for the first time at Karachi expo center. Pakistan International Maritime Expo and Conference (PIMEC) is an initiative of Pakistan Navy which is being organized under the patronage of Ministry of Maritime Affairs in order to jump start development of maritime sector in Pakistan and spur Blue Economy. PIMEC is scheduled from 10 to 12 Feb, 2023 and the exhibition will bring together stakeholders and companies from diverse maritime fields to exploit and explore the potential of Blue Economy. It is actually to venture new chapter where we explore the true potential of much more that is to follow. Not only it will give us livelihood and vibrancy to our economy but also provide endeavors to mitigate climate change effects.
The writer is a lecturer at Peace and Conflict Studies Department, National University of Modern Languages, Islamabad.