Aman 17 - International Relations Reader presents at multinational maritime exercise

Dr. Christian Bueger, Reader in International Relations was recently invited to take part in ‘Aman 17’, a multinational exercise which aimed to display a united front against maritime terrorism and crime.

The exercise took place in Karachi, Pakistan in February and brought together naval representatives of 37 countries. Nine of the countries -- Australia, China, Indonesia, Turkey, Sri Lanka, UK, US, Japan and Russia – arrived with naval assets to the fifth exercise of its kind which has taken place every alternate year since 2007.

Dr. Bueger gave a presentation on “Pakistan and the Western Indian Ocean Security Community” drawing on the results of his recently concluded ESRC funded research project. Dr. Bueger identified the opportunities for Pakistan to act as a regional leader. The talk was part of the academic programme of the exercise which was organised by the National Center for Maritime Research (NCMPR), Bahria University, and was attended by Pakistan’s Minister of Defence and the Chief of Naval Staff of Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Dr. Bueger commented on the visit, “Pakistan is an often neglected player on the international and regional stages, in particular in the field of maritime security. The country is rapidly transforming, and we know too little about the directions it is taking. The visit not only allowed for learning more about Pakistan's maritime policy and the exchange of ideas but also will lead to a strengthened research partnership with NCMPR.”

Part of the visit was the successful discussion of a partnership between the project SAFE SEAS and NCMPR. SAFE SEAS is funded by the British Academy’s Sustainable Development Programme and studies maritime security sectors and capacity building. NCMPR agreed to become one of the partner organisations of the project and will develop a case study on Pakistan’s maritime security sector. Dr. Bueger also visited Gwadar Port and the Joint Maritime Information Coordination Center, which are both exemplary sites for new thinking in maritime security in the country.