SOURCE: ARITRA BANERJEE / FOR MY TAKE / IDRW.ORG
Amid economic turbulence and social unrest, Pakistan is set to host the AMAN-25 naval exercise, a biennial event aimed at showcasing maritime diplomacy. While Islamabad highlights Gwadar—an emblematic project of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)—as central to its economic and strategic aspirations, the scale of international participation in AMAN-25 remains unclear.
Both initiatives, however, emphasise a broader paradox: a nation striving to project strength outward while contending with deep-seated internal challenges. Both initiatives reflect Pakistan’s aspirations to claim leadership in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and establish itself as a significant maritime power. However, their execution reveals deeper structural challenges, including economic dependency on China, domestic unrest, and an inability to balance grand ambitions with pressing domestic needs.
The AMAN Series: Maritime Diplomacy or Empty Posturing?
Since its inception in 2007, the AMAN series has been positioned as a platform for fostering multilateral maritime cooperation. The 2025 iteration introduces the AMAN Dialogue, aimed at addressing critical issues like maritime security and the blue economy. Pakistan hopes to position itself as a regional leader bridging global divides, bringing together the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and allies such as China under the banner of “Together for Peace.”
However, critics argue that AMAN’s inclusivity is largely superficial. Many participating nations send token delegations or single ships, contributing little to substantive maritime security outcomes. In stark contrast, India’s Milan exercise, a comparable multilateral initiative, has focused on actionable objectives like counter-piracy, disaster response, and addressing illegal fishing—issues directly impacting the IOR.
AMAN’s value lies in optics, not operations, said a senior maritime analyst in Colombo. It’s an exercise in branding rather than meaningful security engagement. This critique gains further weight when considering the prominent role of China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) in AMAN-25. While Beijing’s involvement emphasises its aspirations in the IOR, it also highlights Pakistan’s reliance on China to prop up its naval ambitions.
China’s Expanding Shadow
China’s role in Pakistan’s naval modernisation has been instrumental. The acquisition of advanced platforms such as Hangor-class submarines and Type 054A/P frigates spotlights Beijing’s centrality in enhancing Pakistan’s maritime capabilities. These acquisitions have strengthened Islamabad’s naval posture but come at a cost to its strategic autonomy.
Once framed as a linchpin of Pakistan’s economic transformation, Gwadar Port has further deepened this dependency. Originally envisioned as a gateway to Central Asia and a hub for regional trade, Gwadar now functions more as a strategic asset for China than a national one for Pakistan. The port’s militarisation and potential use as a Chinese naval base have raised alarms in Washington and New Delhi while alienating the local population. Gwadar has become a tale of two cities. On one side, there are high-security zones for Chinese workers. On the other hand, they have locals who lack essential services like clean water and electricity.
Recent events highlight the growing discontent. While the inaugural flight to Gwadar’s newly constructed airport was celebrated by Pakistani officials as a symbol of progress, it was accompanied by heightened security measures and the conspicuous absence of Chinese officials, despite their substantial investment in the project. Protests in the region have further underscored the failure of Gwadar to deliver on its promises, with locals accusing the government and China of exploiting their resources without providing tangible benefits.
The Human Cost of Ambition
Pakistan’s focus on AMAN-25 and Gwadar comes at a time of acute economic and social challenges. Inflation has soared to 38%, pushing millions into poverty. Defence spending consumes nearly 20% of the federal budget, dwarfing allocations for education (2%) and healthcare (1.3%). In resource-rich but impoverished Balochistan, these disparities are particularly stark.
AMAN-25 and Gwadar are showcases for foreign investors and diplomats, but for ordinary Pakistanis, they are symbols of neglect. The disparity between military spending and social investment has fueled public resentment. Social media posts by everyday civilians reflect growing anger over the government’s prioritising defence projects over basic welfare. Protests in Balochistan have drawn attention to the stark inequalities in resource distribution, with locals accusing the government of prioritising Chinese interests over their own.
Gwadar and the Limits of the China-Pakistan Partnership
The uneasy dynamics of the China-Pakistan relationship are most visible in Gwadar. While Beijing’s financial and technical support has been critical to Pakistan’s infrastructure ambitions, it has also raised sovereignty concerns. Reports suggest that Pakistan is reluctant to allow a
formal Chinese military presence in Gwadar, fearing backlash from the United States and domestic opposition. However, Beijing’s dominance in Gwadar’s development and its broader CPEC investments leave Islamabad with limited room to manoeuvre. China’s strategy in Pakistan is clear. It wants a secure foothold in the Indian Ocean, and Gwadar is key to that. For Pakistan, the challenge is how to benefit from this partnership without becoming a vassal state any more than it already has.
A Fragile Maritime Vision
While Pakistan aspires to be a maritime leader, its reliance on China and its inability to address domestic challenges undermine its credibility. The AMAN-25 exercise, despite its modest scale, does little to address the pressing issues facing the IOR. In contrast, India’s multifaceted approach to maritime security, exemplified by initiatives like the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) Malabar and Milan exercises, highlights the limitations of Pakistan’s vision. Pakistan’s maritime strategy is fragmented. AMAN is symbolic but lacks the depth and inclusivity needed to truly lead in the region.
AMAN-25 and Gwadar encapsulate Pakistan’s struggle to balance its ambitions and realities. While both initiatives aim to project strength and leadership, they are constrained by economic fragility, domestic unrest, and overdependence on China. For Pakistan to achieve true maritime leadership, it must address its internal disparities, diversify its partnerships, and develop a more inclusive and actionable vision for regional cooperation. Until then, AMAN-25 and Gwadar will remain symbols of a nation grappling with the cost of its aspirations—a reminder that true leadership begins at home.
Aritra Banerjee is a Defence, Foreign Affairs & Aerospace Columnist, Co-Author of the book
‘The Indian Navy @75: Reminiscing the Voyage’ and was the Co-Founder of Mission Victory
India (MVI), a new-age military reforms think-tank. He has worked in TV, Print and Digital
media, and has been a columnist writing on strategic affairs for national and international
publications. His reporting career had seen him covering major Security and Aviation events
in Europe and travelling across Kashmir conflict zones. Twitter: @Aritrabanned
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