China to deploy navy ships at Pakistan's Gwadar port

Shobhit Kalra
Published on: 26 Nov 2016 1:25 AM GMT
China to deploy navy ships at Pakistans Gwadar port
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China to deploy navy ships at Pakistan's Gwadar port

Karachi: Under the $46 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, China has decided to deploy their naval ships coordinating with Pakistan navy in a bid to safeguard the strategic Gwadar port and trade routes, revealed a Pakistani official in Karachi.

It is to tell you that China and Pakistan have joined hand to build a nearly 3,000-km-long economic corridor between Pakistan's Gwadar port on Arabian Sea with China's Xinjiang to improve connectivity between the two countries.

The new cargo route would help in transporting oil to China and exporting Chinese goods to the Middle East and Africa at lower costing and in quick time.

A Pakistan navy official told that the responsibilities of maritime forces has enhanced since Pak made the Gwadar port operational and gave pace to the economic activities under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

"China has decided to deploy its naval ships along with Pakistan navy to protect the port and trade under the CPEC," the Pak navy official said.

China, in the recent times, had been shying away from confirming that it is planning to deploy its naval ships in Gwadar. The confirmation, however, would surely upset the US and India.

According to the experts, CPEC and the Gwadar port would increase the military capabilities of Pakistan as well as China and would also make it possible for Chinese navy to easily access the Arabian Sea.

After making Gwadar a naval base, Chinese vessels would use the port for repair and maintenance of their fleet in the Indian Ocean region. This would be the first ever overseas location providing support to the Chinese navy for future operations.

Pakistan has been eagerly waiting for Chinese intervention in the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea, mainly to counterbalance formidable Indian navy.

The Pakistani official also disclosed that the Pak navy is also planning to buy super-fast ships from China and Turkey for its special squadron which would be deployed at the Gwadar port.

During the on-going defence exhibition, IDEAS 2016 at the Karachi Expo Centre, the Pak navy official said, "A squadron may have four to six warships."

Shobhit Kalra

Shobhit Kalra

Writer has 10 years of experience in digital media. Presently working as Chief Sub Editor at newstrack.com. An avid reader and always willing to learn new things and techniques.

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