Evolving Indian Ocean scenario key for Pakistan

Maldives lawmaker points to India’s desire for hegemony in the region

ISLAMABAD:

With Pakistan working with China to build the Gwadar port to further the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the evolving scenario in the Indian Ocean is quite significant.

This was suggested on Thursday by Maldives’ former economic development minister and a member of their parliament Mohamed Saeed while talking about, “The impossible depths: How the Maldives is challenged by the Indian Ocean power struggles”. The interactive session was organised by the Centre for Global and Strategic Studies (CGSS).

Saeed stated that the evolving dynamics of the Indian Ocean Region are very significant not just for Pakistan and Maldives, but for the entire region. He highlighted that Pakistan and Maldives share common ideologies and these brotherly ties are bound to grow stronger.

As China grows, he said while referring to a 2018 report, India is looking to build military presence in the Indian Ocean, such as in Seychelles.

India demands a dominant role in the region, especially at a time when the world economy is shifting from the West to the East.

With respect to BRI and Pakistan’s future in it through the Indian Ocean, Saeed said that the mass of water contains nearly 33 per cent of the world’s population, accounts for around 50 per cent of world’s maritime trade, and 70 per cent of global seaborne trade - almost 40 per cent of which passes through the Strait of Hormuz, 35 per cent through the Strait of Malacca and eight per cent through the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait.

An estimated 40 per cent of the world’s offshore oil is produced in the Indian Ocean as well.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 18^th, 2020.