WNAM Report: National Institute of Maritime Affairs (NIMA), in collaboration with the Institute of Regional Studies (IRS), organized a concluding session focused on evolving geo-strategic situation in the Indian Ocean. Vice Admiral (Retd) Iftikhar Ahmad Rao, SAPM on Maritime Affairs graced the occasion as a Chief Guest.
SAPM while addressing the gathering, categorically rejected the impression that Pakistan Navy is part of Red Sea coalition operating under US Taskforce-153. Pakistani Naval ships are deployed under an independent national tasking i.e. Regional Maritime Security Patrol (RMSP) to give confidence to Pakistani bound shipping. He also outlined the government’s latest initiatives in promoting maritime sector of Pakistan.
In his welcoming remarks, President NIMA, Vice Admiral (Retd) Ahmed Saeed, highlighted the critical importance of emerging geo-strategic challenges impacting the geoeconomics linked with Indian Ocean. He profoundly thanked all the speakers of six seminars held since July 2022 exclusively focusing on “Strategic Significance of the Indian Ocean”.
Prominent speakers including Amb. Masood Khalid, Amb. Naghmana Hashmi, Air Marshal (Retd) Farooq Habib of CASS, Prof. Dr. Nazir Hussain Former Dean social sciences QAU, Maritime Specialist Prof. Dr. Azhar Ahmad and Security Analyst Syed Muhammad Ali shed light on the various aspects of strategic significance of the Indian Ocean.
Amb. Nadeem Riyaz, President IRS, appreciated the efforts of all speakers and coordinators in making this event productive and a great success. The event was well attended by ambassadors, analysts, govt. officials, academia, media reps, and members of think tanks, along with students & faculty from universities.
The event served as a platform for generating candid discussions and exchange of knowledge concerning geo-strategic landscape of the Indian Ocean.
