The Arms Control and Disarmament Centre (ACDC) at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) in collaboration with the Indian Ocean Study Centre (IOSC), National Institute of Maritime Affairs (NIMA), hosted a seminar on “India’s Maritime Buildup: Implications for the Indian Ocean,” to address crucial geopolitical and security dynamics of the Indian Ocean Region. NIMA President Vice Admiral Ahmed Saeed, in his keynote address, highlighted that the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) was crucial for global maritime trade, with around 80% of global oil trade passing through its chokepoints.
“Controlling these passages equates to significant geopolitical influence, underscoring the region’s role as a critical axis in global economic and security frameworks,” he said. The presence of major powers in the IRO, he added, complicated the geopolitical landscape, making the region a focal point for economic advancement, strategic competition, and diplomatic engagements. He stressed that regional cooperation and dialogue were needed to mitigate tensions and promote stability. ISSI Director General Ambassador Sohail Mahmood, in his welcome remarks, stated that the Indian Ocean played a critical role as a vital maritime corridor, connecting nations across Africa, Asia, and Australia, and highlighted its immense geopolitical significance on a global scale.
