By Syeda Fizzah Shuja
On 22 April 2025, Kashmir endured a tragic incident that claimed the lives of 26 individuals, including Hindu pilgrims, along with one Christian and a local Muslim. India reacted promptly, blaming cross-border support and vowed an unhinged retaliation. In response, Pakistan turned down all such claims and quickly condemned the killings, asking appealing for neutral and transparent investigation. Moreover, Islamabad emphasized that it provides only “diplomatic and moral support” to Kashmiri people. This massacre – the deadliest assault on tourists in decades- threatened dismantling fragile trust by dragging South Asia into one of its most alarming standoffs, with tensions carrying rippling effect from the Himalayas down to the high seas.
Almost immediately, the confrontation seeped into the maritime domain as New Delhi sent its flagship, INS Vikrant into the Arabian sea on 23 Apr 25. Notably, the Indian ship openly sailed towards Pakistan’s maritime approaches that sparked concerns. Adding up to the tension, India staged missile-firing exercises, issuing navigation warnings that signaled power projection.
In response, Pakistan reinforced its naval patrols and maintained a continuous presence in the North Arabian Sea. Shortly thereafter, multiple Pakistani news outlets reported Indian ship- after only a few days at sea- was shortly recalled to port Karwar which was further confirmed by certain satellite imagery as well. While the Government didn’t officially confirm the incident, analysts note that credible Pakistani patrols likely deterred the aircraft carrier’s prolonged deployment. During the course of time, both fleets were on high alert after the Pahalgam incident, sparking jitters in global shipping communities dependent on these waters.
Far from ramping up aggression, Pakistan’s Navy played a vigilant and persistent role at sea, enforcing a strategic balance to prevent escalation. As one report suggests that, an aircraft carrier “is not deployed in the open sea for just a few days” unless contested; the very presence of Pakistani warships with anti-access capabilities active, was credited with convincing India to retract Vikrant. Pakistan Navy deployed patrols helped enforce a tacit status quo: neither navy wanted any disruption in crucial sea lanes nor an uncontrolled escalation that could draw both nations in nuclear arsenals. Consequently, Pak Navy emerged as a guard of its nation’s shores for wider stability.
The recent escalation in diplomatic tensions between Pakistan and India, marked by reciprocal measures such as Pakistan’s ban on Indian flag carriers and the suspension of imports from Pakistan by India, highlights the fragile nature of their bilateral relations. These actions are likely to have significant economic repercussions, disrupting established trade routes and increasing costs in the supply chain. The suspension of mail exchanges and heightened military readiness further exacerbate security concerns, as both nations prepare for potential conflict, deepening regional instability. However, amid these tensions, there is a glimmer of hope in the form of diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the situation.
Crucially, Pakistan’s naval posture blended deterrence with diplomacy and cooperation has long framed the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) as a shared space for collective security. Pakistan Navy Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Naveed Ashraf, has time and again mentioned that “ocean should not be an arena of competition but a common avenue for cooperation”. This attribute was more reflected in the AMAN 2025 exercise and the conference series hosted by Pakistan where around sixty nations practiced joint maneuvers, search-and-rescue operations and deliverance of humanitarian aid. Such multinational drills streamlined mutual trust and enhanced interoperability.
A potent gesture of naval confidence building – even nations at odds can find common grounds for cooperation at sea. For instance, in December 2024, Indian and Pakistani coast guards worked together to rescue 12 crewmen from a sinking merchant ship in the Arabian Sea. This exemplifies that, in the midst of maritime turbulence, each side put aside politics to save lives under internationally agreed maritime norms. In this manner, Pakistan projects itself as a constructive maritime stakeholder amid bilateral friction, by abiding by UNCLOS convention.
Not to ignore the significance of IOR and Arabian Sea as carrying vital arteries of global trade, energy and fisheries any kind of conflicting situation would subsequently choke or disrupt supply chains worldwide. On this front, Pakistan, through its navy and coast guard, participates in international patrols (including U.N.-mandated counter-terror and anti-piracy operations) and works with neighbours on safeguarding commerce. In recent talks, Pakistani officials repeatedly have emphasized that no country alone can secure the seas – that means, such statements deliberately convey the message of collectivity: climate change, piracy, smuggling and terrorism know no borders, and these common threats demand cooperative solutions.
On international level, the response to the Pahalgam crisis also leans toward diplomacy. UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that “a military solution is no solution”. In Islamabad, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar reiterated that Pakistan would “exercise full restraint” and “not be the first to take any escalatory move”. He asked India for evidence linking Pakistan to the Kashmir attack and repeated Islamabad’s offer of a joint investigation. Such statements complement the navy’s posture: Pakistan has signaled repeatedly that it seeks de-escalation through dialogue and international cooperation, not conflict.
Undeniably, the Pahalgam tragedy revealed the fragility of South Asian peace as its shock-waves rapidly crossed land and sea, informing the world that how a local atrocity can threaten a broader confrontation. At such pivotal moments, the conduct of Pakistan Navy offers a model of stability through balance. The navy has styled itself a diplomatic actor: engaging in joint exercises, humanitarian missions, and public calls for collaboration. By safeguarding sea lanes and adhering to maritime law, Pakistan’s naval forces contribute to regional confidence-building.
Indeed, South Asia’s stability matters deeply for the wider world. The IOR not only connects three continents but also hosts a quarter of global trade and any conflict would jeopardize economic growth well beyond the subcontinent. In this regard, Pakistan Navy’s ability of crisis management, in tandem with Islamabad’s diplomatic engagement, plays a role in averting the escalation of conflict. The seas do not belong to one country, and neither does the solution to terrorism or instability. Looking ahead, continued naval dialogues/ exercises, expanded communication channels along with joint patrols against real shared threats can build trust. In the end, security of IOR does not depend on the regional domination but on cooperation that can be ensured by bridging divides.
