Present era which is increasingly deemed as a ‘maritime century’, the oceans have an increasing strategic position in international order and security calculus of nations, said Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Mohammad Asif Sandila on Thursday while addressing the closing session of two-day International Maritime Symposium organised by Pakistan Navy War College on Thursday.
“Oceans are central to competing geopolitics, economic development, military and technology,” said the chief of the naval staff, adding that “navies are considered an invaluable instrument of foreign policy. They protect, and preserve a nation’s maritime interest and concurrently advance its strategic interests abroad in perhaps the most rapid, flexible and sustained manner. By virtue of their inherent qualities, a navy is also the best force to respond to any crisis, natural disasters or swiftly answer to search and rescue calls.”
Earlier, Defence Secretary Lieutenant General (R) Asif Yaseen Malik said that for a variety of reasons, including land geography, continental mindset and economic limitations, Pakistan could not contribute wholeheartedly towards maritime development and maritime sector has truly struggled to survive let alone expand.
But significance of this sector can no longer be ignored. Government is fully cognizant of the economic dividends which come with the expansion in maritime sector of the country and are essential for long term sustainable development of country’s maritime potential.
Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) Chairman General Rashad Mahmood while addressing the 2nd session of the symposium reiterated for importance of oceans in contemporary era which cannot be overstated. It is the maritime domain that facilitates international commerce, which advances and well-integrated global economy, he added.
He also said more and more nations are now turning towards sea to protect, preserve and exploit its riches, consequently, there is a collaborative effort to protect the trade through the global commons.
