Aman-21 concludes with graceful conduct of IFR

ISLAMABAD – The 7th edition of the Multinational Maritime Exercise, Aman-2021 hosted by Pakistan Navy concluded on Tuesday with a ‘graceful conduct’ of International Fleet Review (IFR).

Addressing the concluding ceremony in Karachi as chief guest, President Dr. Arif Alvi said Pakistan Navy Multinational Maritime Exercise AMAN -21 will pave the way to make the region more peaceful and secure with combined efforts by all stakeholders.

The congratulated Pakistan Navy for successfully hosting of AMAN-21 and reaffirming Pakistan’s resolve for promoting peace and security in the region.

The President thanked the participating regional and extra-regional navies for displaying their commitment to collaborative maritime security despite COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr Arif Alvi also observed various operational manoeuvres and drills during the International Fleet Review. The Fleet Review also featured an impressive Fly Past by Pakistan Navy, Pakistan Air Force and participating foreign aircraft followed by Man and Cheership by participating ships.

Speaking on the occasion, Naval Chief Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi, the Chief of the Naval Staff thanked the President for gracing the International Fleet Review with his presence.

He reaffirmed that the Pakistan Navy will continue to play active role in enhancing regional maritime security individually and in collaboration with partner navies.

Other officials present on the occasion included Minister for Maritime Affairs Ali Zaidi as well as Minister for Defence Production Zobaida Jalal, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Gen Nadeem Raza and Chief of Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, among others.

Military officials, ambassadors, high commissioners, defence and naval attaches of various countries also attended the event.

President congratulates Pakistan Navy for successfully hosting exercise

Several operational manoeuvres and drills were held during the IFR, which also features an “impressive fly past” by the Pakistan Navy, Pakistan Air Force as well as participating foreign aircraft, followed by man and cheer-ship by participating ships.,

The exercise came to an end with ships of Pakistan Navy and participating countries forming the traditional Aman formation “to signify unity and collective resolve”.

The exercise, organised every two years by the Pakistani Navy, is aimed primarily at increasing cooperation between navies involved in anti-piracy and anti-crime operations in the Indian Ocean.

Among those participating are the US, Russia, the United Kingdom, China and Turkey. The exercise marks the first time in almost a decade that Russian forces are taking part in military exercises with multiple NATO members.

The exercise is “dedicated to strengthening and developing military cooperation between the countries participating in the manoeuvers in the interests of security and stability at sea, as well as sharing experience in countering the threats of maritime piracy in areas of heavy shipping and conducting search and rescue operations at sea”, said a Russian defence ministry statement.

On Monday, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi while addressing the Ninth International Maritime Conference has  warned that  “belligerent and aggressive policies” adopted by India could  raise the chances of conflict in the Indian Ocean

Shah Mahmood Qureshi also discussed concerns about India’s acquisition of advanced naval weapons technology from Western partners and through domestic development.

“India’s belligerent and aggressive policies – currently driven by an extremist Hindutva ideology – pose an immediate and pervasive threat to international and regional peace and security,” he said, adding that  “Pakistan will continue to take all necessary measures to ensure its security and to maintain credible minimum deterrence”.

India and Pakistan have fought three full-scale wars and several minor conflicts since they gained independence from the British in 1947.

According to security experts the Indian naval build up would eventually disturb the strategic balance in the region.

In 2016, India changed the balance of naval power in the region by announcing that it had formally commissioned the INS Arihant, a nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine.

The Arihant was the first ballistic missile submarine to be built domestically by a country other than the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council.

India also operates a second nuclear submarine, the INS Chakra II, which is a Russian Akula-class submarine acquired on a 10-year lease in 2012. A third nuclear submarine, the INS Arighat, is currently under construction.