A media brief of multinational naval exercise Aman 2019 was conducted at Pakistan Navy Fleet Headquarters on Thursday.
Pakistan Fleet Commander Vice Admiral Amjad Khan Niazi addressed the media and explained the details of the exercise.
Beginning in 2007, exercise Aman has regularly been conducted every two years. This year’s edition is scheduled from February 8-12, where over 45 countries are participating with ships and observers. The exercise has two major phases: harbour and sea phases. Harbour activities would include seminars, discussions and demonstrations.
In tandem, three-day International Maritime Conference will also be held on the topic Global geopolitics in transition – Rethinking maritime dynamics in the Indian Ocean region.
Beginning in 2007, exercise Aman has regularly been conducted every two years. This year’s edition is scheduled from February 8-12
Pakistan has had a turbulent phase of its contemporary history, but it remained steadfast in fighting the forces of terror and tyranny. Despite countless sacrifices and losses, Pakistan continues to be a responsible state cognisant of its role and significance in the international system. Like any maritime nation, Pakistan has substantial stakes in the maritime domain. Its interest in safer and crime-free seas is rooted into three conspicuous realities, 1) Extraordinary dependence on the seas for trade, 2) Operationalisation of China Pakistan Economic Corridor project and 3) Strategic location astride the global energy highway.
Cumulatively, these realities make the maritime stability as the top agenda of the country’s national security. Pakistan considers that maritime security is not just important for itself but for all other countries whose prosperity and progress are strongly bonded with the seas.
The postulate that violent non-state actors’ threats in the maritime domain cannot be negotiated by a single country alone gets reinforced by complex duality phenomenon. Exercise Aman is a manifestation of that acknowledged reality of combating maritime threats collectively, which Geoffrey Till concedes as, “Maritime security being quintessentially cooperative rather than competitive.”
Pakistan Fleet commander said that the principle purpose of this exercise is to provide a forum for understanding of each other’s maritime concepts, operational cultures and identifying ways and means to combat common threats at sea. This occasion would help foster friendships amongst participating countries, which will lead to develop and practice common tactics, procedures and mechanics to deal with the maritime threats that affect us all today. Overall, Exercise Aman is about bridging gaps and making it possible to operate together in pursuance of shared objectives.
Admiral Niazi emphasised that appropriate media coverage would help project the true purpose of the Exercise Aman and real image of this effort of Pakistan Navy. At the heart of this entire endeavour is to work out possibilities for keeping the seas safe so that all positive maritime activities may go on without fear, threat or danger.
Published in Daily Times, February 8th 2019.
