The Aman-25 multinational naval exercise, organized by the Pakistan Navy from February 7 to 11 in the northern Arabian Sea near Karachi, has drawn international attention for its growing geopolitical significance. Bangladesh’s decision to send a major naval warship BNS Samudra Joy to this exercise for the first time in over a decade underscores its evolving defence posture. It highlights its deepening alignment with China and Pakistan.
The exercise, which has active participation from over 50 countries—including China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Iran— claims to promote maritime security and foster multilateral naval cooperation. However, observers suggest it also provides China with a strategic avenue to expand its influence in South Asia and the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
Bangladesh-China-Pakistan Nexus
Bangladesh’s involvement in Aman-25 marks a notable shift in its regional defence strategy. The growing cooperation between Dhaka, Beijing, and Islamabad reflects broader geopolitical trends, where China is leveraging its strategic partnership with Pakistan to integrate regional players into its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
China’s increasing involvement in Bangladesh’s infrastructure and defence sectors, combined with Dhaka’s participation in Aman-25, highlights Beijing’s efforts to strengthen its foothold in the IOR. The People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLA Navy) has sent advanced vessels like the Baotou and Gaoyouhu to the exercise, showcasing its naval capabilities and growing maritime ambitions.
China’s Expanding Influence in the Indian Ocean
China’s naval presence in the Indian Ocean, which began with anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden in 2008, has now evolved into a permanent deployment of warships. China is methodically increasing its regional footprint with a base in Djibouti, strategic investments in Sri Lanka’s Hambantota port, and close ties with Pakistan’s Gwadar port under CPEC.
Occasional deployments of Chinese submarines in the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea further complicate the naval dynamics in South Asia. By participating in Aman-25, China reinforces its regional strategic objectives while showcasing its ability to project power beyond its immediate maritime frontiers.
For Bangladesh, aligning with such initiatives signals a shift toward Beijing’s strategic orbit, which raises concerns about how this relationship could entangle Dhaka in larger power struggles involving India, China, and Pakistan.
Strategic Implications for India
India views the Bangladesh-China-Pakistan alignment with apprehension, as it threatens to alter the strategic balance in the Indian Ocean Region. The participation of the Bangladesh Navy in Aman-25, alongside the PLA Navy, highlights potential interoperability between the three nations’ maritime forces. It could challenge India’s maritime dominance in the region.
India has long expressed concerns over China’s “String of Pearls” strategy, which aims to encircle India with strategically located bases and ports. China’s growing naval presence, combined with its partnerships with Pakistan and now Bangladesh, underscores India’s need to strengthen its maritime capabilities.
India’s Strategic Response
To counterbalance China’s growing influence, India is ramping up its naval modernization program and strengthening its regional alliances. Initiatives like the Quad (India, the US, Japan, and Australia) and enhanced multilateral naval exercises like Malabar and Milan are key components of this strategy.
India is also boosting its maritime domain awareness through advanced satellite and drone systems, ensuring real-time monitoring of Chinese activities in the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. The Indian Navy is focusing on acquiring advanced platforms, including nuclear submarines and aircraft carriers, to maintain a strategic edge.
Bangladesh’s participation in Aman-25 reflects the evolving geopolitical landscape in South Asia, with China playing a pivotal role in reshaping regional alliances. While the exercise promotes maritime security on paper, it also symbolizes Beijing’s strategic ambitions to dominate the Indian Ocean.
Ravi Shankar
