Wasim Sajjad
Mr. Wasim Sajjad is an intern at the Institute of Regional Studies, Islamabad
DOI: http://DOI Number
Keywords: Indian Ocean Region, blue economy, blue industry, strategic triangle, IORA
Abstract
This study focuses on the potential of ‘blue economy’ for Pakistan given its unique geography and considerable coastline with resources like fish, islands, beaches, ports, etc. Pakistan has yet to fully tap the economic potential of its maritime resources. Among various causes of the under-utilisation of the land and maritime connectivity for the country’s economic development are the regional fault-lines, i.e., Kashmir and Afghanistan, and power competition in the Indian Ocean, which impacts developing countries like Pakistan. The bilateral trade between India and Pakistan is the lowest among all the South Asian countries whereas both countries spend huge amounts on defence procurement from extra[1]regional countries. The strategic triangle between India, China, and Pakistan and growing alliances in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) also have a significant impact on the prospects of the ‘blue economy’ for Pakistan. Due to its security-centric foreign policy, Islamabad missed many economic opportunities. If developed sustainably, the country’s blue industry has the potential to strengthen and stabilise the economy by creating an enormous amount of trade and employment opportunities not only for Pakistan but also for neighbours and landlocked Central Asia and Afghanistan.
First Published
September 25, 2020
How to Cite
Wasim Sajjad, “Pakistan’s Blue Economy Amid Increasing Militarisation in the ‘Indian Ocean’” Regional Studies 38, no.3 (Autumn 2020): 73-98, https://regionalstudies.com.pk/wp/article/pakistans-blue-economy-amid-increasing-militarisation-in-the-indian-ocean/
Issue
Volume 38, Issue 3