by Gul Hameed
As Pakistan Navy is all set to hold Exercise AMAN-25, some 50 countries are expected to join the multilateral naval exercise biennially held since 2007. The spirit behind the exercise is to provide regional and extra-regional navies a shared platform to contemplate maritime security and spawn a united resolve against maritime domain crimes prevalent in the Indian Ocean Region. It is also indicative of Pakistan Navy’s enduring commitment to its international obligations of promoting peace and stability.
In our times, processes of globalization have merged localised and isolated economies into a more integrated and interconnected global economic system owing to the ever-increasing human population and increased demand for products and commodities, as well as rapid progress in transportation and technology. The world waters have a lot to do with this large-scale global collaboration. The global seas and large-scale maritime trade have enabled increasing interconnection allowing for modern- day economic interdependence. Over 4000 ports, 55000 cargo vessels and 1.5 million seafareres active on any given day underpin globalization.
In this backdrop, the Indian Ocean, being the busiest commercial route connecting east and west, serves as a hub of maritime commerce and energy transit. More than 80% of world oil supply transits via crucial straits in the Indian Ocean, with 40% passing through the Strait of Hormuz alone.Unfortunately, various demographic and geostrategic variables along with growing maritime traffic and commerce activity render the Indian Ocean a hotspot for maritime domain crimes. The Indian Ocean Region’s low human development index, ailing economies, and agglomeration of weak and failing states have also given birth to maritime domain crimes such as piracy, terrorism, illegal fishing, and human and drug trafficking. These crimes have long had an impact on the global economy and peace necessitating joint measures to resist these dangers.
Pakistan Navy (PN) has remained at the forefront alongside global community to promote peaceful multilateralism in the face of shared problems. In addition to participating in several international peacekeeping coalitions, PN has taken numerous initiatives contributing to security and stability in the region. Pakistan Navy’s AMAN multilateral naval exercise is one such endeavour. The AMAN series of multilateral naval exercises aims to promote regional cooperation by increasing interoperability among regional and extra-regional navies. Ex AMAN fosters a collective commitment againstthreats like piracy, and maritime terrorism by bringing together a large number of participants and observer states on a shared platform.
Exercise AMAN features different stages including harbour, sea and Special Operations phases, with the goal of developing RTTP (Responses, Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures) against challenges and threats. These phases commence with bringing together scholars and subject matter experts to contemplate maritime security challenges facing the region. These scholarly deliberations are useful in developing sound policies and strategies for developing response mechanism against threats. The sea and Special Operations phases include several modules and programmes like tactical manoeuvres. Naval gunfire, and anti-piracy drills with Special Operations Forces and Marine teams receiving special training on counter-terrorism tactics.
Exercise AMAN is distinguished by the fact that, unlike some other naval exercises in the area, it is not a display of combat force. Along with strengthening inter-navy cooperation and provision of necessary security to the regional waters, Pakistan Navy has also served as a peacekeeper through Exercise AMAN. It has encouraged mutual understanding and trust among regional and extra-regional fleets, providing a venue for them to develop a modus vivendi and collaborate for a shared purpose. As has been the case in the past, the Pakistan Navy has provided assistance in bringing China and the United States together through this platform. This emphasises the significance and effect of Exercise AMAN. It’s also worth noting that Pakistan previously hosted forty-five fleets, including Russia, China, and the United States, with Russia collaborating with NATO allies for the first time in many years. This highlights the peacekeeping pledges made by Exercise AMAN.
This year besides Ex. AMAN-25, the inaugural AMAN Dialogue will also take place. The dialogue will provide a shared platform to senior naval leaders to discuss maritime security, blue economy and ways to further strengthen meaningful cooperation. Characterized by keynote addresses and seminars, the dialogue will pave way for deepening cooperation among participating navies. Together with AMAN Dialogue, Ex. AMAN demonstrates Pakistan’s willingness to support the international community in its quest of peace, stability, and economic prosperity. It is correct to say that Ex. AMAN is no mere a means to peacetime force projection; rather, it is a remarkable accomplishment of naval diplomacy indicative of Pakistan Navy’s responsiveness to its international commitments and the faith and confidence that foreign fleets have in Pakistan Navy. It is a manifestation of Pakistan’s determination to prioritise constructive interaction over isolation, collaboration over rivalry, and peaceful multilateralism over individual ambition in order to achieve security and stability.
