GEOPOLITICAL IMPLICATIONS OF THE INDIAN OCEAN AND MARITIME SECURITY CHALLENGES FOR PAKISTAN

Abstract

Geopolitics and geographical identity of a state holds great significance in today’s arena of International Politics.  The geographical sphere is a source of global puissance in regional policy making.  From the last few decades, the world has witnessed major variations in regional power dynamics from Atlantic to Pacific and from Europe to Asia.  Oceans and seas are an imperative driver of dynamic change and clutches prosperity enigmas from eras.  The Indian Ocean, in contemporary world, is a major maritime transit lounge.  Global economy relies on this giant oceanic connector as it is an emerging economic gravity center in world’s trade and economic affairs.  Hegemonic influence on the littoral states of Indian Ocean is the dire need of Asian economic giants as well as the US and European rivals.  Pakistan’s geographic location and its embryonic Gwadar port holds great strategic significance in regional economy, prosperity, security and stability.  Notwithstanding, there are certain maritime challenges for Pakistan.  The aim of this paper is to identify maritime challenges to Pakistan in terms of CPEC and to highlight possible remedial measures in changing regional geopolitical power dynamics.  It can be concluded with a thorough study that Pakistan requires adequate measures to cope up with existing and futuristic challenges in the maritime domain.