National Institute of Maritime Affairs (NIMA) organized an interactive seminar cum webinar on an important current topic “Growing Economic Connectivity in the Indian Ocean Region – Challenges and Opportunities” on 29 April 2021.

Dr Shireen Mazari, Federal Minister for Human Rights graced the occasion as guest of honour whereas, eminent speakers such as Lt. Commander (Retired) Adil Rashid PN, Maritime Researcher and Consultant, Dr Nian Peng, Deputy Director & Associate Fellow of Research Center for Maritime Silk Road, National Institute for South China Sea Studies (NISCSS) and Dr Huma Naz Baqai, Assistant Professor, IBA- University of Karachi shared their intellectual insights with the audience. Commodore (Retd) Ali Abbas SI (M) moderated the session, whereas Vice Admiral (Retd) Abdul Aleem HI (M), Director General NIMA welcomed all the worthy speakers and participants in the webinar and highlighted the importance and significance of the growing connectivity in the Indian Ocean and its littoral states.

While speaking with the audience, DrNian Peng Highlighted the significance of maritime connectivity through BRI and the emerging role that China will play through its economic diplomacy in the Indian Ocean Region. DrNian Peng while addressing highlighted the significance of mutual agendas for development and shared growth for long term socio-economic gains. Lt. Adil Rashid Maritime Researcher and Consultant shed light on the growing role of ports and shipping in contemporary times. While highlighting the futuristic dynamics of shipping, he particularly focused on the opening of the Arctic will likely impact the recent shipping pattern in the Indian Ocean Region. Talk of Dr Huma NazBaqai was centred on geopolitical arena and significant gain developing nations can attain from BRI and changing power dynamic in IOR. She emphasized the Pakistan should learn from Chinese modal to inculcate the maritime aspect in the heap strategic policy formulation.

At the end of the webinar, the Chief Guest Dr Shireen Mazari, Federal Minister for Human Rights applauded the efforts put in by NIMA for bringing together policymakers and academicians together to up-bring significant Her invaluable remarks enabled the panellist in developing a better understanding of the current scenario in the region in the context of a social, political, economic and strategic shift. She emphasized that Pakistan Navy should be strengthened in all aspects to pursue national interests on the country in the Indian Ocean Region. According to Director NIMA-K Commodore (Retd) Ali Abbas SI (M), the discourse was an effort to build understanding on changing scenario within the maritime domain. A large number of attendees from academia, maritime experts, university students, government departments, and think tanks actively participated in the webinar. In the end Vice Admiral (Retd) Abdul Aleem HI (M), Director General NIMA thanked the guests, participants and the entire panellist for sparing their valuable time for NIMA’s efforts.