KARACHI, March 3: A multinational naval exercise, Aman-2013, hosted by the Pakistan Navy, commences on Monday with forces from Australia, Bangladesh, China, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Turkey, the UAE, the UK and the US as its main participants.

However, Pakistan’s neighbours, India and Iran, will not be involved in the exercise in any way. “Until we achieve a level of trust, there will be no combined exercises between us,” Commander Pakistan Fleet, Rear Admiral Khan Hasham Bin Siddique explained while replying to a question at a briefing held before the exercise on Sunday. About Iran’s absence, he pointed out that inviting other countries was decided on a much higher level like the federal ministries of foreign affairs and defence.

The biennial exercise initiated by Pakistan Navy in 2007 is designed to provide a common forum for information sharing, mutual understanding and identifying areas of common interest among its participants while practicing and developing response tactics, techniques and procedures against asymmetric and traditional threats.

“Half of the world’s container ships, one-third of bulk cargo traffic and nearly two-thirds of oil shipments pass through the Indian Ocean every day,” said the Rear Admiral Siddique. “Since Pakistan is located within this prominent strategic location, it is cognizant of its responsibility to ensure maritime security in the region. However, the nature of the asymmetric threat in the maritime arena is such that no nation alone can ensure maritime security in the global common. Aman-13 is one such effort bringing the navies of other countries for peace.”

Main objectives of the naval exercise include displaying a united resolve against terrorism and crimes, contributing towards regional peace and stability, thereby acting as a bridge between the regions. “The slogan for the exercise is ‘Together for Peace’ and all nations participating in the Aman-2013 share a common objective of ensuring peace and stability in the maritime arena,” said the Rear Admiral.

“This is by far the most important undertaking by the Pakistan Navy.”

He said that the current edition of the exercises will include 18 ships [five of which belong to the Pakistan Navy], Special Operation Forces and Explosive Ordnance Disposal teams along with a number of Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft and ship-borne helicopters.

When asked if an exercise of such huge caliber will interfere with Karachi’s regular port activities, Rear Admiral Siddique said: “We are not going to impede any economic activity so our regular port operations will go on as usual.” The exercise, which would be observed by some 21 countries, would conclude on March 8.