Geo-political and Geo-economic Dynamics of the Region in Developing the Sea-based Economy of the IOR Countries

Kanwar Muhammad Javed Iqbal; Baber Bilal Haider

doi:10.53963/pjmr.2020.002.1

Authors

Kanwar Muhammad Javed Iqbal Kanwar Muhammad Javed Iqbal is a Maritime Researcher, Islamabad-Pakistan, and Research Fellow at Center for Global & Strategic Studies, Islamabad - Pakistan reachable at kanwar.javediqbal@gmail.com Author
Baber Bilal Haider Baber Bilal Haider is a PhD Scholar at National Defense University, Islamabad – Pakistan, reachable at cdrbaber@yahoo.com Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53963/pjmr.2020.002.1

Keywords:

Indian Ocean, Geo-political, Geo-economic, IOR Littoral, AfroAsian region, Sea-based economy, Welfare interests, SLOC, CPEC, OBOR, Chahbahar Port, Gwadar Port, enhanced cooperation, socio-economic uplift

Abstract

The geo-politics and geo-economics of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) littoral are interconnected to each-other with a large scale of Afro-Asian population and a tremendous maritime economic potential. Welfare interests of the populations of IOR littoral states demand tapping of the Seabased economic potential, but the geo- political dynamics of the region are not conducive due to diverse dimensions of multiplayers in the region and gradual Sino-Asian power shift, where philosophy of enhanced cooperation for peace and sustainability is highly needed. The addition of Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has provided new avenues to harness the true potential and uplift the poverty by improving existing socio - economic ties. The BRI has many challenges, and its opportunities can be exploited by China, Pakistan and Iran, through an extra efforts on diplomatic front. Based on qualitative research and content analysis method, this paper aims to analyse the various aspects of the geo-politics and geo-economics of the IOR viz-a-viz Sea-based economic potential and rationalizes the need of enhanced cooperation for peace and sustainability in order to promote socioeconomic uplift and prosperity across Afro-Asian region.