National Centre for Maritime Policy Research (NCMPR), Pakistan is proud to announce the 7th International Maritime Conference (IMC 2017) to be held at NCMPR, Bahria University, Karachi from 11 to 13 February 2017. The conference will take place in tandem with the 6th Biennial International Maritime Exercise “AMAN 2017”. The highlight of the event will be the presence of more than thirty five navies, eminent speakers and delegates from across the globe.

Indian Ocean Region has gained significant importance over the last few decades. It has become center of global geopolitics conjoined with world economic interests. Overarching interest of all extra-regional powers has been economic as over 40% of the world trade passes through the Indian Ocean transforming it to a jugular vein of the world economy. Conceptualization of ‘One Belt One Road’ project by Chinese has added another dimension with lasting impact on regional economic chess board. Establishment of new system of roads, ports and other nodal points has further enhanced the economic importance of Indian Ocean for the world. Cumulatively, this all would translate into plying of additional shipping on regional Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs) and augmented role of naval forces of regional as well as extra-regional countries. Emerging super power rivalry in Indian Ocean evolving out of the US re-balancing to Asia-Pacific region will have consequential impression on Indian Ocean security canvass.

Although US involvement in Asia-Pacific region is premised on a desire for regional peace and economic stability yet is being doubted and contested by other major players. Latest events in South China Sea are harbingers of the evolving security scenario in the regional neighborhood. Few new factors like, fielding of nuclear submarine by India and increase in naval capabilities of regional countries has made blue water of Indian Ocean as zone of maritime friction. Furthermore, rising maritime activities in Indian Ocean will have adverse impact on regional coastal environment as well large population living along the coasts of Indian Ocean states has serious environmental concerns demanding formulation of mitigation strategies against the looming threat. Galvanization of these dimensions would bring in new maritime challenges for the regional countries in future which demand proactive planning and preparations to lesion if not mitigate the adverse effects. In this backdrop, the conference is aimed to examine long term effects of these emerging factors on regional security in Indian Ocean while examining the situation through the lens of political, economic and maritime security perspective for prevalence of peace, harmony and tranquility in Indian Ocean.