Abstract:
China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), part of China’s “One
Belt, One Road” initiative, is an ambitious undertaking. It epitomises
Beijing’s desire for connectivity with other regions and its efforts to make
certain that its economy stays the course by diversifying energy import
pathways. CPEC has an embedded strategic undertone as well. It is an
answer to the United States’ Asia pivot and its growing support for New
Delhi. The Indian Ocean will be a crucial battleground for the contest
between opposing strategic partnerships, with the US and India on one
side and China and Pakistan on the other. Sitting astride the allimportant Strait of Hormuz, the port of Gwadar underpins CPEC. All
four navies - the United States Navy (USN), Indian Navy (IN), Peoples
Liberation Army (PLA) Navy and Pakistan Navy (PN) - will have vital
roles to play in the unraveling maritime security environment in the
region
