Karachi : Pakistan’s top diplomat Sartaj Aziz on Saturday alleged that India’s evolving “expansionist” maritime security strategy and un-demarked border of Sir Creek pose “threat” to the security of the Indian Ocean.
“The un-demarcated borders in Sir Creek have the potential to cast a shadow on maritime security. India’s evolving expansionist maritime security strategy is a cause for concern for peace in Indian Ocean,” said Aziz, the PM’s Advisor on Foreign Affairs.
He made the remarks at a conference on ‘Strategic outlook in Indian Ocean Region 2030 and Beyond – Evolving Challenges and Strategies’ organised by the Pakistan Navy as part of a multi-nation five-day naval exercise in the Arabian Sea.
“Nuclearisation of the Indian Ocean has also led to further instability in the region,” he added. He said that with 95 per cent of Pakistan’s trade taking place through sea, Pakistan was heavily dependent on a tension-free Indian Ocean.
Aziz said Pakistan is third largest Indian Ocean littoral country and as a matter of policy it continues to pursue the goals of realising the economic potential of the region.
Highlighting the significance of the Indian Ocean, Aziz said that it provides connectivity to the Middle East, Africa and Australia with Europe. “An estimated 55 per cent of known oil reserves of the world and 40 per cent of gas reserves are located in this region. Today, some 40 per cent of the global trade passes through the Indian Ocean,” he said.
The Indian Ocean ports handle about 30 per cent of global trade and half of the word’s container traffic traverses the Ocean, he added.
Aziz urged regular dialogue between stakeholders on security and safety of the region and offered that Pakistan was ready and willing to expand contribution for ensuring a peaceful Indian Ocean Region.
He said that in order to ensure a secure, peaceful and prosperous Indian Ocean Region, “we need a strategy that is integrated, inter-sectoral and multidisciplinary, and aims at promoting a maritime economy that is innovative, competitive and environment-friendly.”
Institutional cooperation and synergies between the institutions in the Indian Ocean Region is important, he added. —PTI
