While considering maritime chokepoints across the world, the Mozambique Channel rings the bell eventually; however, because of the changing equations and power projections in other geographic bottlenecks by the regional and foreign players it is frequently ignored. Yet for the past millennium, the Mozambique Channel has filled in as a key transit and exchange center connecting the Indian Ocean to the world. Even with the opening of Suez Canal in 1869 which eventually reduced the shipping timings and outlays for trade between Asia, Europe and Americas, no one questioned the Mozambique Channel’s significance to global commerce for it was understood to be essential. Moreover, in view of the growing threat of terrorism and regional instability, reliance on the Suez Canal is often contested.
It is no longer a mystery that China and India as Asia’s emerging power houses has a desire to draw in with resource rich Africa as they aspires new economic partnerships to fuel their blooming economies. With decades old ties to the continent the two Asian giants have been ratcheting up their investment push into Africa in recent years as they are seeing Africa now as an opportunity rather than a liability. From drilling oil to building state of the art hospitals and from selling furniture to erecting flamboyant football stadiums, China and India’s deepening engagement with Africa has been rapidly shaping the continent’s landscape as well as its efforts for economic development. Moreover, New Delhi is also making decisive strides to extend its footprint on the continent. For instance in the recent past New Delhi has offered billions of dollar loan packages for establishing new institutions alongside designating military attaches to island nations of Africa. On the contrary, although government of Pakistan has taken some concrete steps to further Pakistan ties both economic and military with the African nations but still it requires synergy among the government institutions and ministries to take the existing relationship to the unprecedented heights.
In the aforesaid milieu Pakistan’s Look Africa policy is an attempt to further expand Pakistan’s footprint in the African continent whilst capitalizing on the Mozambique Channel whose oceanographic and resource rich potentials are still untapped. However, in this regard the newly created appointments of trade officers and trade and Investment attaché by the foreign office of Pakistan is again a marvel step. Moreover, by expanding its ties and presence in the African continent Pakistan can also count on the 54 votes which African Union holds in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). However, it is pertinent to mention that foreign office alone cannot accomplish the role thus requires concerted efforts from various government institutions and ministries. Therefore, on a support role to government’s foreign policy objectives the role of Pakistan Navy is commendable. Pakistan Navy Ships, PNS MOAWIN and PNS ASLAT in line with government policies and on a government’s support role sailed to the shores of African continent to reinvigorate diplomacy and with an aim to create goodwill among the residents. Pakistan Navy Ships during their recent overseas deployment to the African continent port called to Morocco, Mauritania, Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa and Seychelles. This overseas deployment of Pakistan Navy Ships was fully capitalized to boost the existing relations between Pakistan and African countries and to cooperate on geostrategic issues and issues of global governance as both regions, in many ways, face problems of similar nature. During the deliberations whilst enroute to the African continent, the mission commander of the visiting Pakistan navy flotilla stressed the importance of intelligence sharing in securing the Sea Lances of Communications and highlighted Pakistan’s successes against curbing terrorism within the country and beyond. The plight of the Kashmiris was also voiced during the high level talks and various engagements on board. It was pressingly noted that the fascist policies of the ruling BJP in India not only pose grave threat to the Kashmiris but to the whole region. The mission commander urged the diplomats during various engagements that the global community should take strict notice of the fascist regime and the dangers it pose to the regional peace and stability. As of now Pakistan-Africa cooperation in the field of defence and security is better than any other fields but Pakistan need to explore other emerging trade markets in the resource rich Africa.
However, some takeaways from the recent Pakistan Navy Ships’ overseas deployment could be that Pakistan needs to increase its diplomatic presence in all friendly African countries. Every country should have a separate designated Pakistani mission which can be utilised for exploring and establishing new opportunities for collaboration. Moreover, having a wide coverage and network of diplomatic missions in Africa will serve the benefit of more profound representation, cooperation on regional and global issues and most importantly, an opportunity of closely interacting and establishing relations with other communities. Furthermore, such overseas deployments are very important as they not only add symbolic value to the bilateral relations, but also add substance in terms of new agreements undertaken and Memorandum of Understanding signed in areas of mutual interest. Similarly, the Indian government’s initiative like ‘Africa Outreach’ Pakistan should also proactively pursue high level state engagement with African countries under a conscious and well-designed programme. With respect to economic cooperation, public private partnership model should be emphasised. African continent is a huge market for Pakistani goods and similarly, Pakistan’s geo-strategic location and connectivity offers opportunity for African goods to Central Asia and South Asia. Pakistan should encourage investment in agro-based industry in Africa, as phosphates and other fertilizers are abundant in many African countries. Likewise, despite being rich in livestock many African countries import meat which again gives Pakistan an opportunity for investing in meat processing units in Africa.
To sum it up the Pakistan Navy Ships, PNS MOAWIN and PNS ASLAT port calls to Africa has opened new diplomatic and trade channels for the country thus providing an opportunity for the government to enhance its bilateral relations with the African nations.
