From the Persian Gulf to the Southern Ocean, and from the Strait of Malacca to the eastern coast of Africa, the Indian Ocean represents one of the most strategically and geographically significant maritime crossroads in the world. It holds immense importance for global trade, energy security, and maritime stability. Nearly 17 million barrels of oil transit daily through the Indian Ocean’s major choke points, primarily the Strait of Hormuz and the Strait of Malacca.

Pakistan occupies a critical geostrategic position in the Indian Ocean, connecting the Persian Gulf with Central Asia and China. Consequently, the security of the Indian Ocean is directly linked to Pakistan’s internal security and regional stability. India’s expanding military footprint in the Indian Ocean, the growing presence of non-state actors such as Al Qaeda and Al Shabab, and persistent piracy pose serious security challenges for Pakistan. Pakistan’s maritime policy is primarily focused on safeguarding its economic interests, which are closely tied to the security of its sea lines of communication.

The China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a flagship initiative that provides China with access to the Persian Gulf and a strategic foothold in the Indian Ocean. However, the rising threats of terrorism and piracy in the region also endanger CPEC and Pakistan’s broader economic plans. As a result, maritime security in the Indian Ocean has increasingly become a core component of Pakistan’s........

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