By Muhammad Azam Khan
“From now onwards, Pakistan will only partner with another country in peace; we will not become part of any other conflict, we will not join any other country in its conflict,” said Prime Minister Imran Khan at the World Economic Forum, 2020
With its tag line, “together for peace” resonating powerfully in the far reaches of the Indian Ocean region and beyond, the country’s multinational mega biennial exercise, AMAN-21, by the Pakistan Navy concluded on February 16, 2021. A grand international fleet review was held in the North Arabian Sea on the culminating day. Dozens of warships representing wide-ranging countries were stationed in a massive formation natively called, ‘AMAN formation’. The imposing finale was witnessed by the President of Pakistan, Dr Arif Alvi. He was joined by the Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, the Minister for Defence Production, Chief Minister of Sindh, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, Chief of the Army Staff and the Chief of the Air Staff. In addition, the Emissaries of various countries in Pakistan were also present. The traditional AMAN formation denotes, “unity and collective resolve”.
The proceedings of the final day were reviewed by dignitaries while on-board, PNS MOAWIN. The name of the ship, PNS MOAWIN, itself signifies collaboration, or coming together. Jointly constructed by the Pakistan navy and a Turkish firm at the local Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works (KS&EW), the ship stands as the pride of the nation. It was commissioned as recently as October 2018 and aptly symbolised the spirit that underpinned AMAN-21.
“I often queried why my success should come as someone’s failure or why would my success mean that someone must lose. There has to be a way where we all can win and because this goes against the established thinking and psychology, it needs a paradigm shift. Let’s come together; understand each other, and fight the common enemy”, said the Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi in an address at AMAN-21 on 12 February.
On this occasion, a record number of naval and marine officers, ships, and air unit crews along with observers from various countries witnessed the stirring flag hoisting ceremony at the Pakistan Navy Dockyard, Karachi. These included representatives from, China, Russia, Indonesia, the United States, United Kingdom, along with Iran, Sri-Lanka, Turkey, Malaysia and other ASEAN states as well as African Union, EU, GCC, and NATO.
The most striking feature of AMAN-21 was the presence of the Russian Navy, which served as an ice-breaking moment with its arch-rival, the United States Navy alongside it. The last time the Russian Navy conducted joint military drills with NATO members was in the ‘Bold Monarch’ exercise in 2011. This move did not go unnoticed by AMAN-21. Tributes were aglow, even from across the border.
“I must commend Pakistan Navy for holding such a large-scale exercise in the post-Covid period. One of your (Pakistan Navy) greatest achievements, as one must learn from all and everyone, is to bring Russia and United States together on a single platform; for that alone, Pakistan and Pakistan Navy deserve rich tributes. It becomes singular since the two countries (Russia and the United States) have been hostile and at odds since 2014—and for this, you (Pakistan Navy) can comfortably add another jewel in its crown”, remarked Lt Gen KJ Singh during a live video conversation on a private television network.
AMAN-21 was split into two phases of harbor and sea. In the former seminars, symposiums, discussion sessions, international get-together, and cultural festivities to showcase Pakistan as an opulent society with great traditions were profitably held. In the next phase, tactical maneuvers and exercises like anti-piracy, counterterrorism and search and rescue missions were conducted at sea.
AMAN-21 aimed to strengthen and develop cooperation among world navies in order to promote regional stability and to counter common maritime threats. It was a rare opportunity for participating countries to rub shoulders with their global counterparts putting aside their differences to work towards a common cause and to develop synergy and doctrinal interoperability to fight unconventional threats.
The high point on the closing day was the international fleet review in which the formation of ships conducted maneuvers while marine and Special Forces and air elements displayed their skills. There were Para jumps and a flypast by Pakistan Navy aviation as well as Pakistan Air Force. The aircraft from participating countries also flew past the AMAN-21 formation.
Earlier, the message of Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Niazi was read out during the opening ceremony. In his message, the Admiral warmly welcomed the participants of the exercise, the seventh edition in the AMAN series commandeered by Pakistan Navy since 2007. ‘AMAN-21 will provide a medium to develop doctrinal synergy to tackle maritime security challenges and to enhance interoperability amongst navies at different pedestals of technological prowess to come together and secure a sustainable maritime environment’, read the message.
On 13 February, the Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Niazi paid a visit to the Indonesian, Russian and Sri-Lankan naval ships. The senior and commanding officers of the visiting ships received the Naval Chief in a befitting manner. They deeply appreciated the enduring efforts of the Pakistan Navy in mustering global navies and working towards the shared commitment of maritime peace, stability, and legitimate order at sea.
The highlight of the first phase of the exercise (13th to 15th February) was the International Maritime Conference (IMC-21). The conference brought together a wide array of distinguished international and national scholars as well as subject matter experts. The scholars addressed large multinational gatherings. Under the overarching theme, “Development of Blue Economy under a Secure and Sustainable Environment: A shared future for Western Indian Ocean”, the erudite speakers proffered creative solutions to oceanic problems afflicting the region. Notable luminaries included Secretary-General IMO, President J&K, Dr. Gunter Pauli, and Senator Sherry Rehman. Commander US Naval Forces Central Admiral Samuel Paparo delivered his keynote address. His talk, “Enhancing Regional Maritime Security in the Western Indian Ocean Region through Effective Mechanism”, was instructive. Dr. David Brewster of the Australian National University talked about the challenges and opportunities in changing maritime dynamics of the Indian Ocean region and its implications for regional states.
The second day of the conference saw the presence of Special Assistant to Prime Minister, Dr. Moeed Yusuf as chief guest during the pre-lunch session. Eminent speakers shed light on the “Need of Maritime Security and Sustainable Growth-A Shared Vision for Western Indian Ocean region”. In his keynote address titled “BRI and its implications on maritime security in the Indian Ocean region”, Dr. Nong Hong, Executive Director of China America Studies, USA, underlined the need for stability in the region in the wake of non-traditional security threats where interests of multiple stakeholders converged. In the second session, the Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Mr. Syed Ali Haider Zaidi was the chief guest. Scholars also presented their thoughts on, “Development of Pakistan’s Maritime Sector and Blue Economy”.
In the last session on 14 February, the discussants alluded to the “contemporary strategic environment related to Indian Ocean region and opportunities for regional cooperation”. Renowned Senator Mushahid Hussain shared his views on “building strategic partnerships”.
With progressing geopolitical shifts in the Indian Ocean region and its peripheries, maritime security has assumed a distinctive significance for Pakistan. A stable order in the region has now become an indispensable need for the country. With the upcoming port of Gwadar projected as a regional hub and a transshipment port in the wider Indian Ocean and given the external machinations against CPEC, maritime security has never so critically important to Pakistan as it is now. Gwadar is tipped to become the hub of trade connecting South Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Central Asia.
Perhaps the finest tribute to AMAN-21 came not from within Pakistan but from its Eastern neighbourhood.
“India’s Pakistan policy seems to have landed in a cul-de-sac. It lacks credibility and has no future. A course correction is overdue. AMAN-21 makes a mockery of India’s aspiration to be a ‘net security provider’ for littoral states in the Indian Ocean. The participation of Bangladesh and Sri-Lanka in AMAN-21 speaks for itself”, asserted Ambassador M.K. Bhadrakumar in his column on February 17, 2021.
