Latest news with #AMANDialogue
Arab News
12-04-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Pakistan Navy stresses importance of combat readiness to counter regional maritime threats
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's navy chief this week stressed the importance of maintaining combat readiness to counter conventional and non-conventional regional maritime threats, the navy said in a statement, appreciating the force's efforts in acquiring the latest technologies and advanced platforms. Pakistan's Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf chaired the Command & Staff Conference at the Naval Headquarters in Islamabad on Friday. The Command & Staff Conference is the apex decision-making forum of the Pakistan Navy, where Ashraf, along with all principal staff officers and field commanders, review policies and strategic plans. 'The Naval Chief emphasized the importance of maintaining perpetual combat readiness to effectively counter both traditional and non-traditional threats in the maritime domain,' a statement by the navy said on Friday. 'He appreciated the navy's efforts in acquiring advanced platforms and technologies, expressing confidence in its operational preparedness to safeguard Pakistan's maritime frontiers.' The navy said that participants of the conference assessed the evolving maritime situation in the region with a focus on national security, geostrategic affairs and combat readiness. Ashraf commended the navy for successfully hosting the multinational AMAN-25 naval exercise and the AMAN Dialogue, underscoring their significance in fostering maritime collaboration among regional and extra-regional naval forces. 'He noted that these initiatives reflect Pakistan's commitment to cooperative maritime security, in line with the navy's vision for a secure and stable maritime environment,' the navy said. Pakistan Navy regularly collaborates with allies and friendly nations, conducting joint military exercises and other activities to enhance synergy, promote regional peace and stability, deter piracy, drug trafficking and other illicit maritime activities.
Arab News
11-02-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Indian Ocean should not be ‘rivalry playground,' Pakistan says at Aman-25 naval exercise
KARACHI: Pakistan's Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal said on Monday that the India Ocean should not be made a 'rivalry playground' and it should rather serve as a 'center of opportunities' for all nations as he addressed the concluding session of the AMAN Dialogue at the AMAN-2025 naval exercise in Karachi. The Indian Ocean, which represents the crossroads of global oil markets, has been the site of geopolitical competition between major powers, including India, China and the United States, which involve economic, military, and political factors. The US has expanded defense ties with India in recent years and frequently conducted Freedom of Navigation Operations (FONOPS) in the Indian Ocean, especially in areas around India, as part of its strategic partnership with the country, in a bid to counter China's growing maritime assertiveness in the region. China, which commands the world's largest naval force with more than 370 ships, has developed ports and bases across the Indian Ocean, including in Gwadar in Pakistan, Sri Lanka's Hambantota, and Djibouti in Africa, to promote its trade interests. 'Pakistan prefers collaboration over confrontation and trade over tensions,' Iqbal said at the concluding session of the AMAN Dialogue. 'Indian Ocean should not be the center of tensions and strategic contention, rather it should be a center of opportunities and shared progress.' The dialogue, hosted by Pakistan on Feb. 9-10 as part of AMAN-2025 naval exercise, focused on security challenges in the Indian Ocean, including strategic competition, piracy, narco-trafficking, non-state actors, resource exploitation, climate change, emerging technologies such as AI and unmanned systems, the blue economy and the need for global collaboration to ensure stability and prosperity. It brought together chiefs of navies, coast guards and defense forces from several nations, with an aim to provide them an opportunity to exchange views on global and regional security and adopt innovative solutions. Iqbal called the AMAN Dialogue an example of mutual trust and shared prosperity, which signified Pakistan's commitment toward peaceful maritime sector. He hoped that relations forged at the forum would turn into longstanding partnerships for the betterment of global maritime sector and yield results in shared progress. Pakistan Navy has conducted the AMAN maritime exercise every two years since 2007 under the theme 'Together for Peace,' involving ships, aircraft and special operations forces. Naval troops and special forces from more than 60 countries have been taking part in this year's exercise, being held on Feb. 7-11.
Express Tribune
10-02-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
AMAN-25 concludes with focus on joint efforts for maritime security
The concluding ceremony of the AMAN Dialogue, part of the five-day AMAN-25 naval exercise organised by the Pakistan Navy, was held in Karachi today. Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal was the chief guest of the event, which focused on promoting maritime security. In his address, Ahsan Iqbal praised the AMAN Dialogue as a valuable platform for sharing mutual experiences and strengthening cooperation in maritime security. "The region faces multiple challenges, including the impacts of climate change," he said, highlighting the growing need for collaboration in tackling these issues. Iqbal stressed that the maritime sector holds significant potential for progress, particularly in enhancing maritime trade, which he believes is essential for economic prosperity. Vice Admiral Raja Rab Nawaz, Deputy Chief of Pakistan Naval Staff Operations, also spoke at the ceremony, emphasising the importance of maritime security for future development. He called for joint efforts to address challenges such as human and arms smuggling. Other notable speakers included Admiral Nazam Ul Hasan, Naval Chief of Bangladesh, Rear Admiral Christopher Smith, Fleet Commander of the Australian Navy, and Dr Christian Bogar, a renowned maritime expert. They all underscored the need for continued collaboration and coordination to tackle emerging maritime threats. The AMAN-25 exercise, a significant event for regional naval cooperation, concluded with a commitment to enhancing collective efforts for ensuring maritime security in the region.
Express Tribune
08-02-2025
- General
- Express Tribune
9th maritime exercise kicks off
ISLAMABAD: An impressive and colourful flag-hoisting ceremony was held at Pakistan Navy Dockyard in Karachi, marking the formal inauguration of the 9th Multinational Maritime Exercise AMAN 2025. According to the Directorate General Public Relations (Pakistan Navy), the event featured the simultaneous hoisting of flags from all participating nations. A large number of senior military representatives, observers, diplomats, and officials from the Pakistan Armed Forces attended the ceremony. AMAN 2025 is the 9th edition of the series and is being held from 7-11 February 2025. Around 60 countries, along with their ships, aircraft, special operations forces, and observers, are participating in the exercise. Additionally, the Pakistan Navy has introduced the inaugural AMAN Dialogue, scheduled for 9-10 February 2025, as an adjunct to the exercise. During this dialogue, naval chiefs and senior representatives from participating countries will deliberate on maritime security challenges and explore innovative solutions to enhance security at sea.
Express Tribune
08-02-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Top military officials of BD, Maldives call on COAS
RAWALPINDI: Top military officials from Bangladesh and the Maldives called on Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir on Friday and discussed the prevailing regional security environment, and the avenues for enhanced defence and security cooperation, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said. Those called on Gen Asim included Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) of Bangladesh Admiral Mohammad Nazmul Hassan, and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) of the Maldives Armed Forces Major General Ibrahim Hilmy, the ISPR, the media wing of the military, stated in separate press releases. During the meeting between Gen Asim and Maj-Gen Hilmy, Both sides expressed satisfaction over the enduring bonds of brotherhood and friendship between Pakistan and the Maldives, underscoring their shared perspectives on key regional issues. Recognising the evolving security landscape, the two military leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening and revitalising bilateral ties, with a view to enhancing collaboration in areas of mutual interest. Maj-Gen Hilmy lauded the Pakistan Army's contributions to regional stability. In a separate meeting, the ISPR said, Admiral Hassan also commended Pakistan's pivotal role in fostering peace and stability in the region. He appreciated the holding of the upcoming Multinational Maritime Exercise AMAN 2025 and the conduct of AMAN Dialogue. The ISPR said that during this second high-level visit by Bangladesh Armed Forces in the recent past, both dignitaries engaged in discussions on matters of mutual interest, the prevailing regional security environment, and avenues for enhanced bilateral defence and security cooperation. Admiral Hassan also called on Gen Sahir Shamshad Mirza, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC). The ISPR said that their discussion centred on evolving regional environments, and mutual strategic interests, including maritime collaboration. Gen Sahir Shamshad Mirza also met with Hungary's Deputy Defence Minister Tamas Vargha. During the meeting, both the leaders emphasised the importance of exploring new opportunities for mutually beneficial collaboration in defence and security domains between both countries, the ISPR stated. (WITH INPUT FROM APP)
