China-Pakistan Joint Naval Exercise in Arabian Sea: Implications for India

China-Pakistan Joint Naval Exercise in Arabian Sea: Implications for India

Nadia Nawaz | November 14, 2023 | 12:00 AM IST | China, Pakistan News | Follow on Google News

China-Pakistan Joint Naval Exercise in Arabian Sea: Implications for India

China-Pakistan Joint Naval Exercise in Arabian Sea: Implications for India

The Chinese and Pakistani navies have embarked on a week-long joint exercise, ‘Sea Guardians-3,’ in the northern Arabian Sea. The exercise, which includes anti-submarine operations and joint maritime patrols, marks a significant collaboration between the two allies.

Details of the Exercise

Hosted at a naval base in Karachi, the exercise spans from Saturday to Friday. According to Senior Colonel Wu Qian, spokesperson for China’s Ministry of National Defence, this year’s drill will feature joint maritime patrols for the first time, with a focus on “joint response to maritime security threats.” The activities include formation movement, VBSS (visit, board, search and seizure) procedures, helicopter cross-deck landing, and search and rescue operations.

Significance and Frequency of Joint Exercises

This is the third iteration of the ‘Sea Guardians’ exercise, aiming to strengthen the all-weather strategic partnership and traditional friendship between China and Pakistan. The exercise also focuses on enhancing realistic combat training for both militaries. Since 2013, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has deployed submarines in the region on several occasions.

Implications for India

The exercise has significant implications for India, particularly considering China’s increasing presence in the Indian Ocean, which is crucial for its trade and energy security. Former Navy Chief Admiral Arun Prakash (retd) highlighted that India must acknowledge China’s vital interests in the Indian Ocean and prepare for an increasing presence of PLAN warships and submarines.

China’s “String of Pearls” Strategy

Over the past two decades, China has been establishing a “string of pearls” in the Indian Ocean, a network of ports financed by China for potential use by its navy. This includes China’s first overseas military base in Djibouti, with possibilities of more bases in Africa.

India’s Response and Collaborations

Indian Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar has stated that the Indian Navy is vigilant about Chinese naval asset deployments in Pakistani ports, noting the consistent presence of Chinese warships in the Indian Ocean Region. India collaborates closely with the United States, its key maritime ally, to track Chinese warship movements. In recent 2+2 talks, both India and the US emphasized their commitment to maintaining a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific, countering concerns over China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

Nadia Nawaz

Nadia Nawaz – a new journo in digital journalism covers stories, reports/articles from Pakistan. Nadia writes on various topics, include Politics, Economy,Sports and finance. she further holds a high head in field of graphic designing. Nadia can be reached on nawaznadia20@gmail.com