WEBINAR REPORT

AMAN: ’S DYNAMIC INITIATIVE FOR PEACE

www.maritimestudyforum.org

Category: Event Report

Title: Webinar Report – AMAN: Pakistan’s Dynamic Initiative for Peace

Written by: Muneeb Salman – Research Associate MSF Shazia Habib – Research Associate MSF

Reviewed by: Baber Ali Bhatti – Senior Research Associate MSF

Designed by: Haadia Nasir – Graphic Designer MSF

Published: January 2021

A publication of Maritime Study Forum – an Islamabad based independent think tank.

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Concept Note

Pakistan has always been a responsible state, and its commitment to ‘peaceful existence’ and desire for regional stability is reflected through its participation in various international peace keeping missions, Combined Task Forces 150 and 151, various indigenous initiatives and multilateral exercises like Regional Maritime Security Patrols (RMSP) and AMAN exercises. AMAN series of multi-national naval exercises was initiated by in 2007. The aim of this exercise was to enhance naval cooperation, promote regional stability and strengthen interoperability with regional navies. It also aims to strengthen mutual understanding and areas of common interests. The significance of AMAN exercises grew with the participation of major naval powers. It is one of the most important initiatives taken by Pakistan Navy in combating threats at sea.

AMAN exercise, held biennially since 2007, also reflects Pakistan’s desire for peace in the entire Indian Ocean. This year the 7th AMAN naval drill will be held in February 2021. AMAN exercise is the harbinger of cooperation that brings different ships, corvettes, aircrafts, and observers from participant countries closer. This year AMAN exercise will feature ships from Russia’s Black Sea fleet, as well as NATO member states. It is the first time that Russia and NATO members are participating in any naval drills jointly after the change of government in USA. This shows Pakistan’s profound commitment for peace and stability in the region at a time when the region is being militarized and polarized on lines of major power competition. This naval drill is also significant because the three maritime giants; the USA, China and Russia are going to be present on one platform at AMAN.

This year’s brief by Directorate Public Relations (DGPR) Pakistan Navy states the concept of exercise as to provide common forum for: a. Information sharing, mutual understanding and identifying areas of common interests for group analysis and dialogues through lnternational Maritime Conference. b. Developing and practicing response tactics, techniques and procedures against asymmetric and traditional threats during sea phase of the exercise. c. lntermingling of multinationals with depiction of their respective cultures during cultural shows/food galas.

The focused objectives of the exercise are stated as: a. Enhance interoperability with regional and extra regional navies thereby acting as a bridge between the regions. b. Display united resolve against terrorism and crimes in the maritime domain.

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The exercise will be divided into harbour phase and sea phase. The harbour phase will include different ceremonies, wreath laying at Yadgaar-e-Shuhada, a cultural festival, calls and visits to friendly ships, a maritime counter-terrorism demo, and an International Maritime Conference (IMC) held at National Center for Maritime Policy Research (NCMPR), . While the sea phase at exercise will include an international fleet review, and various drills and demonstrations by Pakistan Navy and participant countries’ fleets.

As the region has witnessed the upsurge of polarized naval coalitions, this is the only exercise that aims to promote cooperation and peace in the entire region. Thus, in order to deliberate upon Pakistan’s efforts in AMAN and its future maritime prospects, Maritime Study Forum organized a webinar titled, “AMAN: Pakistan's Dynamic Initiative for Peace”, on Friday, January 29, 2021. The webinar was held via Zoom from 03:00 PM – 04:30 PM. The panelists at webinar included (R) Syed Mohammed Obaidullah, Member Board of Advisors MSF and Founding Director National Center for Maritime Policy Research (NCMPR), Dr. Khuram Iqbal, Member Board of Directors MSF and HOD Department of International Relations, National Defence University, and Mr. Ejaz Haider, Executive Editor Indus News. The webinar was moderated by Attorney Muslim Bin Aqeel, Research Associate MSF.

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Speaker Profiles

Commodore (R) Syed Mohammed Obaidullah, SI(M) Commodore (R) Syed Mohammed Obaidullah is Member Board of Advisors MSF. He graduated from Pakistan Navy with the distinction of coveted Sword of Honor. He established Pakistan in 1990, and remained 1st Pakistan Marines for 3 years. He also established National Center for Maritime Policy Research (NCMPR) in 2007. He is Recipient of Tamgha-e-Imtiaz (Military), Sitara-e-Imtiaz (Military) and two Letters of Commendation from Chief of the Naval Staff.

Ejaz Haider Ejaz Haider is Executive Editor at Indus News. He received a Master’s degree in English Literature from Punjab University. He was also a Ford Scholar at the Program in Arms Control, Disarmament and International Security at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and a visiting fellow at the Brookings Institution, Washington, D.C. He has edited and written extensively for various national and foreign newspapers including The Frontier Post, The Friday Times, Daily Times, Times of , Indian Express, The World Today, etc.

Dr. Khuram Iqbal Dr. Khuram Iqbal is Member Board of Directors MSF and Acting Head of Department at Department of International Relations, National Defence University, Islamabad. He is an expert in counter-terrorism and an enthusiastic researcher, who has devoted a decade to research and teaching in Peace and Conflict Studies, Strategic Studies and Counter- Terrorism. He has also served as Head of Research at Pakistan Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS) and Researcher at Center for Policing, Intelligence and Counter-Terrorism, Australia. He received his PhD in International Security Studies from Macquarie University, Australia and M.Sc in Strategic Studies from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. He has received various awards nationally and internationally in recognition for his research.

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Moderator Muslim Bin Aqeel Attorney Muslim Bin Aqeel is Research Associate Maritime Study Forum. He is an experienced Advocate of Admiralty and Maritime affairs. He has worked at different national and international cases as research analyst and other various capacities and positions. His areas of expertise include admiralty, civil, criminal and corporate matters. He has worked as Member Foreign Affairs and Inter-Provincial Coordination Committee Lahore, Punjab Bar Council. He has been member of organizing team for Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court 2018, US Embassy Islamabad.

AMAN: Pakistan's Dynamic Initiative for Peace

The proceedings of webinar included a talk by panelists, moderated by Muslim Bin Aqeel. The talk was followed by an interactive session. Pertinent issues were raised during this session that led to an in depth view of AMAN Exercises.

Commodore (R) Syed Mohammed Obaidullah highlighted the maritime diplomacy carried out by Pakistan Navy in form of AMAN exercises to promote peace in the region. AMAN exercises are not war games, but rather drills against non-traditional security threats. Pakistan Navy is actively upholding peace and stability firstly in the region and then in the world. Whereas the Malabar Exercise conducted by India is China centric. It is a message being sent by India, US, Japan and Australia to keep China out of Indian Ocean. As far as Pakistan is concerned Pakistan has been able to send its message of tranquillity to both eastern and western naval forces. We have gained the confidence of number of countries from the world, as AMAN exercise is against no one or more countries. Pakistan Navy despite being a small navy has managed to bring together 45- 50 countries together on a common forum. These are the two major exercises taking place in the region, and their objectives are completely different.

Mr. Ejaz Haider deliberated on Pakistan’s steps and efforts to strengthen peace in the region. He started with description of why Pakistan Navy remained constrained despite being active in efforts to promote peace and stability, and maritime diplomacy in the region. He said that Pakistan’s military planning has largely remained land focused. Due to which there is lesser operational coordination of Pakistan Navy with the Army and Air Force. Another reason for this is the historicity. Muslim states and empires, with the

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exception of Ottoman Empire, largely neglected naval power. The European city states and empires in contrast focused largely on naval power. However despite constraints, Pakistan Navy is actively engaging in Indian Ocean with its vigilant naval diplomacy. It has commanded multinational Combined Task Forces for a number of times. Despite being the most neglected of the three services, it has been very active in bilateral and multilateral forums. AMAN exercise is therefore an important part of maritime diplomacy of Pakistan.

Dr. Khuram Iqbal focused his talk on Pakistan’s maritime position in the great power competition. He informed that Pakistan has always been effected by the great power competition throughout its history. Earlier it was great power rivalry in Afghanistan, and Pakistan’s role as a US ally in it. This made Pakistan’s backyard a hotspot for decades. However the Afghanistan backyard is cooling down recently. However the Sino-US rivalry in Indian Ocean is now heating up the region once again. The Indian Ocean region that has always been a zone of peace is now transforming into a zone of conflict. It is now transforming into a Cold War style competition. India which has traditionally called itself strategically autonomous is now a major US ally in the region against China. Amid this clash of titans, Pakistan is presented with a choice of either taking sides once again or to remain neutral. Pakistan has chosen to act as a bridge in the region due to its traditional role as a peacemaker in maritime domain. Pakistan’s active participation in Combined Taskforces 150 and 151 are a testimonial to the role of Pakistan as a bridge. Now again when the rising Sino-Indian rivalry is polarizing the region, Pakistan is playing its role to stabilize the region. Through AMAN exercise it will once again play the role of a peacemaker and provide platform for China and Russia on one side and US and allies on the other side to come together.

The webinar concluded with closing remarks from Dr. Khuram Iqbal. He concluded the webinar with a note of thanks to the esteemed guests, and emphasized on holding such informative webinars and sessions to create maritime awareness in the country. He also reiterated the common emphasis of the panelists that Pakistan Navy initiatives like AMAN are effective measures to promote Pakistan’s maritime diplomacy and security, and complement overall national security of the country. However many initiatives of Pakistan Navy remain constrained due to budgetary reasons. Therefore a higher budgetary allocation to Pakistan Navy, and Pakistan’s maritime sector in general, is essential to promote Pakistan’s interests and ensure national security.

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